Pope
Francis to Straatnieuws: truth and witness from Church
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis granted an interview to the Dutch paper,Straatnieuws,
published by the homeless of the city of Utrecht. In the broad-ranging
conversation, Pope Francis touches on topics of interest both personal and
ecclesiastical: from his childhood in Argentina, including his boyhood dream of
becoming a butcher, to his solicitude for the poor, and his appreciation of his
reputation. “Right now,” he tells himself, “you have an important job, but in
ten years or so, no one will recognize you.”
The
Holy Father also offered some insight into his vision of the Church’s mission
in the world today: “The Church must speak with truth, and also with
testimony,” he said. “If a believer speaks about poverty, and leads the life of
a Pharaoh – this cannot be done.”
He
also warned against the Church becoming entangled in worldly affairs.
“Agreements
can be made,” with secular governments, he said, “but they must be clear
agreements, transparent agreements.” He went on to explain that the reason for
this is, “Because there is always the temptation to corruption in public life –
both political and religious.”
Asked
whether he is ever tempted to sell the treasures of the Vatican, the Holy
Father replied, “This is an easy question. They are not the treasures of the
Church, but the treasures of humanity.” Still, many gifts the Pope receives
personally are sold, and the proceeds are given to Archbishop Krajewski, the
almoner, and are used for the poor.
Pope
Francis also covered some familiar ground, reiterating his reasons for choosing
to live in the Casa Santa Marta – it isn’t good for him to live in isolation
and remove – and his longing to be out and about. ““I find people, I greet
them,” in the Casa Santa Marta, he said, “and this makes the ‘golden cage’ less
of a cage,” he added, referencing Mark Twain's tale of The Prince and
the Pauper, in which the prince lived in a golden cage. Still, he continued,
“I miss the street.”
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