Amid the general sense of relief and even euphoria over the election of Pope Francis, a Pentecostal friend of mine wondered, what difference can one man make? Given the vast size of the Catholic Church, the diversity of its structures and personnel, what can this one man, already in his mid-70s, do to make real and significant changes? It is a good question.
The first thing to appreciate is the shift in style, some of it symbolic, but not without impact. As the counting of the papal votes was concluded, and the Master of Ceremonies approached Francis with the traditional red gown, he reportedly said 'No thank you, Monsignore ... Carnival time is over!' Everything about the man speaks of simplicity of life and deep personal integrity. These are deeply engrained habits of a lifetime that not even election to the papacy will change.
This symbolic shift will have a real impact because behind it stands a man of substance and integrity. Already curial officials are toning down the trappings of office and using less ostentatious forms of transport in Rome. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he railed against clericalism and careerism in the Church.
Not a few cardinals will be wondering where the chips will fall in the new curial appointments, because Francis has a new agenda, not governed by stubborn insistence on orthodoxy as the sole criteria for appointment, regardless of talent. Rather, as he has signalled, his first priority is a concern for the poor.
This new round of curial appointments to head congregations in Rome will be the first sign of real change beyond these symbolic acts. With the priorities he has indicated we can expect more cardinals from the Third World to fill these offices, people who know what poverty means and will place the poor at the heart of the Church's concerns.
This concern for the poor will also drive a new ecological agenda, something already signalled in his post-election press conference and in the homily of his inauguration mass. It is the poor who will suffer the most from ecological issues such as climate change. This is what Caritas Internationale will tell him, if he does not already know.
We can also expect less fussiness about the liturgy, something that flourished with Benedict XVI. Like many Jesuits of my acquaintance, Pope Francis seems to favour a lower liturgy without all the trappings. In a mass he celebrated in a parish in Rome after his election he wore a simple bishop's mitre, sat in an ordinary chair and personally greeted the people after the mass.
A colleague here at ACU has read all his homilies given at various masses so far — each one just a page or two long, over in a few minutes, not theological treatises of 30–40 minutes. Yet each communicated a simple yet powerful message. The inaugural mass gave a clear indication of this shift. With a captive audience of millions, the homily was less than 15 minutes and in language anyone could understand.
Perhaps too we shall see the end of the 40,000-plus word encyclical, at least for a while.
There are currently about 57 cardinals over the age of 72. If Pope Francis is in office for eight years or more (and I think he too will retire about the age of 85) he will have a direct hand in replacing each of these cardinals. Just as John Paul II shaped the college of cardinals for the election of Benedict, so Francis is likely to shape the college for the election of his successor. This is a long term impact on the life of the Church.
On the issue of clergy sexual abuse, which so preoccupies the Church in the west, we have few indications. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires his record is unknown. But one media source has cited an interview in which he indicated a policy of zero-tolerance towards abusive priests. We shall see how this unfolds in the coming months.
Recently in Eureka Street I argued for a pope to take the Church in a new direction of greater humility, respect and silence, echoing the stance of Cardinal Taglia prior to the conclave. Already the signs are there: a pope of recognisable humility, of genuine respectfulness of others but especially for the poor, and, if not of silence, at least less wordiness. Each of these words, humility, respect, and silence, appeared in his inaugural homily.
And of course he could also call for a new council for the Church. Stranger things have happened!
Neil Ormerod is Professor of Theology at Australian Catholic University. His latest book, with Cynthia Crysdale, is Creator God, Evolving World (Fortress Press, 2013).