Pope: ‘I was thinking of retiring, but instead I surrendered to God’
Aboard the papal plane returning to Rome from Lebanon, Pope
Leo XIV speaks to journalists about the role of the Holy See, which works
“behind-the-scenes” in peace negotiations, so that all parties may lay down
arms. Regarding Ukraine, the Pope underlines Europe’s involvement and the
important role Italy could play, and answers a question about how he reacted to
his election, stressing the importance of giving one’s life to God and letting
him "lead the way".
Vatican News
“First of all, I want to say thank you to all of you who
have worked so hard; I would like you to pass on this message also to the other
journalists, both in Türkiye and in Lebanon, who have worked to communicate the
important messages of this journey. You too all deserve a big round of applause
for this visit.”
Pope Leo XIV greeted the 81 journalists on board the flight
from Beirut to Rome with those words, before answering several questions,
speaking in English, Italian and Spanish.
He spoke about his just-concluded Apostolic Journey, the
Middle East, the war in Ukraine, Europe’s presence in peace negotiations, and
the situation in Venezuela.
He also received a gift from a Lebanese correspondent: a
hand-made painting, created live on television in recent days, depicting him
and the symbolic places he visited in the Land of the Cedars.
Below is a working English transcription and translation
of the press conference:
Joe Farchakh (LBC International): You are an American
Pope who is leading a peace process. My question is whether you will use your
contacts with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On
the plane, you said that the Vatican is a friend of Israel. Will you raise the
issue of stopping Israel’s aggression against Lebanon? And is a sustainable
peace possible in the region?
[Pope Leo XIV, in English]: First of all, yes, I
believe sustainable peace is achievable. I think that when we talk about hope,
when we talk about peace, when we look to the future, we do so because I
believe it is possible that peace once again come to the region and come to
your country, to Lebanon.
In fact I have already, in a very small way, begun a few
conversations with some of the leaders of places that you have mentioned, and I
would intend to continue to do that, personally or through the Holy See,
because the fact is that we do have diplomatic relationships with most of the
countries through the region, and it would be our hope certainly, to continue
to raise that call for peace that I spoke of at the very end of the Mass today.
Imad Atrach (Sky News Arabia): In your last speech, there
was a clear message to the Lebanese authorities to negotiate. To negotiate, to
dialogue, to build. Will the Vatican do something concrete in this regard? Last
night you met a Shia representative. Before your visit, Hezbollah sent you a
message; I don’t know if you received it, if you read it. What could you tell
us about this? Thank you very much for having visited Lebanon, which was a
dream for us.
[Pope, in Italian]: One aspect of this journey,
which was not the main reason—because the visit was conceived with ecumenical
questions in mind, with the theme of Nicaea, the meeting with Catholic and Orthodox
Patriarchs, and the search for unity in the Church—but in fact, during this
journey, I also had personal encounters with representatives of different
groups who represent political authorities, people or groups who have something
to do with internal conflicts or even international conflicts in the region.
Our work is not primarily something public that we proclaim
in the streets; it is somewhat behind the scenes. It is something we have
already done and will continue to do in order to convince the parties to lay
down their arms, to abandon violence, and to come together to the table of
dialogue: to seek answers and solutions that are not violent but can be more
effective.
Imad Atrach: The message from Hezbollah?
Yes, I saw it. Clearly, on the part of the Church there is
the proposal that they lay down their arms and that we seek dialogue. But
beyond this, I prefer not to comment at this time.
Cindy Wooden, CNS : Holy Father, you said a couple of
months ago that there is a learning curve to being Pope. When you arrived at
Harissa yesterday, with the warm welcome, it looked like you said, ‘Wow.’ Can
you tell us what you are learning? What is the most difficult thing to learn
for you in being Pope? And you haven’t told us anything either about what it felt
like in the Conclave when it became clear what was happening. Can you tell us a
little bit about that?
[Pope, in English]: Well, my first comment would
be that just a year or two ago I too thought about retiring someday. You have
received that gift apparently; some of us will continue to work. (A joke
referencing the fact that Ms. Wooden is retiring in December, ed.)
The Conclave itself, I believe very strictly about the
secret of the Conclave, even though I know that there have been public
interviews where some things were revealed. I said to a reporter the day before
I was elected, she caught me on the street I was going to lunch across the
street at the Augustinians, and she said, ‘What do you think? You have become
one of the candidates!’ And I simply said, ‘Everything is in the hands of God.’
And I believe that profoundly.
One of you, there is a German journalist on here who said to
me the other day, tell me one book, besides St. Augustine, that we could read
to understand who Prevost is.
And there’s several I thought of, but one of them is a book
called, “The practice of the presence of God.” It’s a very simple book,
by someone who doesn’t even give his last name, Brother Lawrence, written many
years ago.
But it describes, if you will, a type of prayer and
spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to
lead. If you want to know something about me, that has been my spirituality for
many years.
In midst of great challenges, living in Peru during years of
terrorism, being called to service in places where I never thought I would be
called to serve to. I trust in God, and that message is something that I share
with all people.
So what was it like? I resigned myself to the fact when I
saw how things were going, and I said that this could be a reality. I took a
deep breath, I said here we go Lord, you’re in charge, you lead the way.
I don’t know that I said ‘Wow’ last night. In the sense that
my face is very expressive, but I’m oftentimes amused by how the journalists
interpret my face. I mean, it’s interesting; sometimes I get, you know, like
really great ideas from all of you, because you think you can read my mind or
my face. And it’s not—you’re not always correct.
I mean, I was at the Jubilee for Youth, where there were
over 1 million young people there. Last night was a small crowd.
It’s always marvellous to me; I think to myself, ‘These
people are here because they want to see the Pope,’ but I say to myself, ‘They
are here because they want to see Jesus Christ and they want to see a messenger
of peace,’ in this case in particular.
So to just listen to their enthusiasm, and to hear their
response to that message is something that I think is—that enthusiasm is
awe-inspiring. I just hope I never get tired of appreciating everything that
all these young people are showing.
Gian Guido Vecchi (Corriere della Sera): These are hours
of great tension between NATO and Russia; there is talk of hybrid war,
prospects of cyberattacks, and things of this kind. Do you see the risk of an
escalation, of a conflict carried forward with new means as reported by NATO
leaders? And, in this climate, can there be negotiations for a just peace
without Europe, which in recent months has been systematically excluded by the
American presidency?
[Pope, in Italian]: This is obviously an
important issue for peace in the world, but the Holy See does not have a direct
involvement, because we are not members of NATO nor of any of the talks so far,
and even though many times we have called for a ceasefire, for dialogue and not
war.
And it is now a war with many aspects: with the increase in
arms, all the armaments production going on, cyberattacks, energy. Now that
winter is coming there is a serious problem there.
It is clear that, on the one hand, the President of the
United States is thinking he can promote a peace plan that he would like to
carry out and that, at least at first, is without Europe.
But Europe’s presence is important, and that first proposal
was also modified because of what Europe was saying.
Specifically, I think Italy’s role could be very important.
Culturally and historically, Italy has the capacity to act as an intermediary
in the midst of a conflict that exists between different parties: Ukraine,
Russia, the United States…
In this sense, I could suggest that the Holy See might
encourage this kind of mediation, and that one should seek—and that we should
seek together—a solution that could truly offer peace, a just peace, in this
case in Ukraine.
Elisabetta Piqué (La Nación): The Lebanese flag has the
same colours as the flag of Peru. Is that a sign that you will be making a
visit to Latin America in the second half of next year, combining it with
Argentina and Uruguay? Joking aside, what visits are you preparing for the
coming year? And, furthermore, speaking of Latin America, there is a great deal
of tension because of what is happening in Venezuela. There is an ultimatum
from President Trump to Maduro to resign, to leave power, and a threat to remove
him by a military operation. What do you think about this?
[Pope, in Spanish]: As for visits, there is
nothing absolutely certain; I hope to carry out a visit to Africa. That would
possibly be the next journey.
Ms. Piqué: Where?
Africa, Africa. Personally, I hope to go to Algeria to visit
the places of Saint Augustine, but also in order to continue the conversation
of dialogue, of building bridges between the Christian world and the Muslim
world. In the past, in another role, I already had the opportunity to speak
about this topic.
It is interesting: the figure of Saint Augustine helps a
great deal as a bridge, because in Algeria he is very much respected as a son
of the homeland. That is one.
Then there are some other countries, but we are working on it.
Clearly, I would very much like to visit Latin America, Argentina, and Uruguay,
which are waiting for the Pope’s visit. I think Peru would also receive me, and
if I go to Peru there would also be many neighbouring countries, but the plan
is not yet defined.
Regarding Venezuela, at the level of the Bishops’ Conference
and with the Nuncio, we are trying to find a way to calm the situation, seeking
above all the good of the people, because in these situations it is the people
who suffer, not the authorities.
The signals coming from the United States change, and so we
must see… On the one hand, it seems there has been a telephone conversation
between the two presidents; on the other hand, there is this danger, this
possibility, that there could be an action, an operation, including an invasion
of Venezuelan territory.
I again believe it is better to seek dialogue within this
pressure, including economic pressure, but looking for another way to bring
about change, if that is what the United States decide to do.
Michael Corre, La Croix : Hello Your Holiness, thank you
for this very interesting trip. You just talked about continuing to build
bridge between different worlds. I would like to ask: some Catholics in
Europe believe that Islam is a threat to a Christian identity of the West. Are
they right, and what would you say to them?
[Pope, in English]: All of the conversations
that I had during my time, both in Türkiye and Lebanon, including with many
Muslims, was precisely concentrated on the topic of peace and respect for
people of different religions.
I know that, as a matter of fact, that has not always been
the case. I know that in Europe there are many times fears that are present but
oftentimes generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep
out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race.
And in that sense, I would say that we all need to work
together, one of the values of this trip is precisely to raise the world’s
attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and
Christians is possible.
I think one of the great lessons that Lebanon can teach to
the world is precisely showing a land where Islam and Christianity are both
present and are respected and that there is a possibility to live together to
be friends.
Stories, testimonies, witnesses that we heard even in the
past two days of people helping each other; Christians with Muslims, both of
whom had had their villages destroyed, for example, were saying we can come
together and work together.
I think those are lessons that would be important also to be
heard in Europe or North America. We should perhaps be a little less fearful
and look for ways of promoting authentic dialogue and respect.
Anna Giordano (Ard Radio): The Church in Lebanon is
supported also by the German Church. There are, for example, some German aid
agencies very active in Lebanon. So also from that point of view, it is
important that the German Church stays a strong Church. So you probably know,
that there is this (Synodaler Weg), Synodal Way, a process of change in
the German Church going on. Do you think this process can can be a way to
strengthen the Church? Or is is the other way around? And why?
[Pope, in English]: The Synodal Way is not
unique to Germany; the whole Church has celebrated a Synod and synodality over
the past several years.
There are some great similarities, but there are also some
marked differences between how the Synodal Way in Germany has been carried
forward and how it may well continue in the universal Church. On the one hand,
I would say there is room certainly for respect for inculturation.
The fact that in one place synodality is lived in a certain
way, and in an other place it is lived differently, does not mean that there
will be rupture or a fracture. I think that is very important to remember.
At the same time, I am aware that many Catholics in Germany
believe that certain aspects of the Synodal Way that has been celebrated in
Germany up until now, do not represent their own hope for the Church or their
own way of living the Church.
So, there is need for further dialogue and listening within
Germany itself, so that no one’s voice is excluded, so that the voice of those
who are more powerful does not silence or stifle the voice of those who might
also be very numerous but don’t have a place to speak up and to allow their own
voices and own expressions of Church participation to be listened to.
At the same time, as you know I am sure, the group of German
Bishops has been meeting, for the last couple of years, with a group of the
Cardinals from the Roman Curia. There is an ongoing process there as well, to
try and make sure the German Synodal Way does not, if you will, break away from
what needs to be considered as a pathway of the universal Church.
I’m sure that will continue. I suspect there will be some
adjustments made on both sides in Germany, but I’m certainly hopefully that
things will work out positively.
Rita El-Mounayer (Sat-7 International): We are four
different Christian channels broadcasting in the Middle East and North Africa,
two in Arabic, one in Farsi and one in Turkish. First of all, I would like to
thank you for giving a time for the Lebanese people. I am myself a child of
war, and I know how much it means to have a hug from Your Holiness, a tap on
the shoulder, and saying everything is going to be ok. And what struck me is
your motto: ‘In the one we are one.’ This motto speaks of building bridges
between different Christian denominations, between religions and also across
neighbours, that sometimes can be a bit difficult. So my question is, from your
own perspective, what unique gift does the Church in the Middle East—with all
its tears, wounds, challenges and past history—can give the Church in the West
and the world?
[Pope, in English]: Let me preface my response
by saying that today people who grew up in a very individualistic society—young
people who passed significant amount of time during the pandemic because of
COVID, and whose personal relationships are oftentimes very isolated, in
reality because they are only through computer screens or smartphones—they ask
sometimes, ‘Why should we want to be one? I am an individual, and I don’t care
about others.’
And I think there is a very important message here to say to
all people that unity, friendship, human relationships, communion, are
extremely important and extremely valuable. If for no other reason, then the
example you mentioned about someone who has lived through war or has suffered
and is in pain, what an embrace can mean to them.
What that very human, real, healthy expression of personal
care can do to heal the heart of someone else. On a personal level, that can
become, if you will, a common level, a community level that unites all of us,
and helps us understand, and respect for one another goes far beyond ‘You keep
your distance; I’ll stay here, and you stay there, and we’ll have no
interaction.’ But it means building up relationships that will enrich all
people.
With that message, certainly, my motto is primarily because
of Christ “il illo” is ‘In Christ who is one we are all one.’
But it is not defined, if you will, only for Christians. As
a matter of fact, it is an invitation to all of us and to others to say: the
more we can promote authentic unity and understanding, respect and human
relationships of friendship and dialogue in the world, the greater possibility
there is that we will put aside the arms of war, that we will leave aside the
distrust, the hatred, the animosity that has so often been built up and that we
will find ways to come together and be able to promote authentic peace and
justice throughout the world.
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