While many Italians have said it was very strange for Pope Benedict XVI to resign, the newly selected Pope Francis has been welcomed with open arms by many Italians.
Enrico Cecconi, a professor at Accademia Europea di Firenze, said he understands why the Pope wanted to resign because of his age. Cecconi is very satisfied with the selection of Pope Francis as his successor.
“That was a very unexpected thing because normally popes keep their position until the very end. So I was very surprised. And at first I think that many Italians thought there was some kind of reason behind it,” Cecconi said.
“I felt really like a big emotional thing because he truly spoke with his heart to everyone. He just said something, which is not normal for a pope to say. He said Buonasera fratelli sorelle. Good evening brothers and sisters. And normally a pope would not say Buonasera fratelli sorelle. He would say something like I am very pleased to be here. But this pope just had a normal start,” Cecconi said. Cecconi was impressed that the new Pope asked the community to pray for him. He believes this underlines that the Pope is one of us and wants to be on the same level with the people.
“I think that the fact that this Pope wanted to be called Papa Francesco is actually because he wanted to follow the kind of teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi. He would spread the word to people everywhere, would be naturally touching people, talking to people and praying for ill people. And that is what he has been doing since he has been pope in the last few days. I really was impressed when he spoke in front of everyone saying that his choice for the name is mainly due to him wanting to have a poor church for poor people. That is a big sign that there is a kind of change in the church history,” Cecconi said.
With the inauguration of the new pope, there have been many changes in the way the pope has been interacting with people.
“It has been crazy because he has been using the underground metro in Rome, and he has been walking in the middle of people without any protection. He really wants to be one of us. So in this way he is kind of showing his normality of being in the society, much like Francesco was doing by being in the middle of people. He is trying to do the same thing,” Cecconi said.
Edy Frollano, the director of Accademia Europea di Firenze, was also very impressed by the new pope.
“He really is a Franciscan. That is a good sign in this moment in Italy because we have many economic problems. Perhaps we need someone who tells people that he does not want a rich church because if the people are poor, the church can’t be rich. He also said that everyone must care about tenderness. And this is important and another Franciscan idea,” Frollano said.
Frollano, much like Cecconi, was very surprised upon hearing Pope Benedict XVI had resigned.
“This was very strange. I couldn’t believe it. As all the other people in Italy thought, I thought that Pope is forever,” Frollano said.
Although Frollano was very surprised by the resignation of the previous pope, she said this pope might be just what Italy needs in this moment.
“In this moment everyone is in love with this pope because he is really saying the right things,” Frollano said.
Although the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was an unusual event, it is not the first time a pope has resigned. In 1415, Pope Gregory XII resigned to end the Great Western Schism, which lasted from 1378 to 1417. With the resigning of Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis has since visited Pope Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo for a private lunch. Castel Gandolfo is the papal summer residence. Pope Benedict XVI has been staying at Castel Gandolfo while a new residence is being prepared for him within the Vatican.