"We Have a Pope"

It’s been exhausting, hasn’t it?

Catholic friends ask: “What do you think of our new pope?” in a way that sounds like they are undecided themselves. What do I know?

Non-Catholic friends have been saying the same thing they said in 2013 when Francis was elected: “We really like this new pope of yours,” which illustrates the import of first impressions gathered from television and internet.

All this after a brief time of chimney-watching live on our screens, followed by a blizzard of media attention. Have you ever seen so many papal pundits? Still, I’m going to weigh-in, with the help of Amleto Giovanni Cicognani (1883-1973).

Amleto Cicognani is one of my favorite Catholic personalities of the twentieth century. He gained my respect for the way in which he, as Apostolic Delegate to the United States, facilitated the reconciliation with the Church of “the gas station bishop,” Bishop Bonaventure Broderick in 1939. He orchestrated, with Francis Spellman, a great act of charity—and he didn’t have to.

That same year, on March 2, Eugenio Pacelli became Pope Pius XII. Cicognani issued a statement that began:

“On the elevation of such a beloved churchman as Cardinal Pacelli to the throne of St. Peter, our first word must be one of prayerful gratitude to divine Providence.”

He followed with several paragraphs noting his knowledge of, and respect for, the new pope who had been Secretary of State, and concluded with this:

“Because of my position in the United States, I have been in daily contact with Pius XII in his capacity of Secretary of State and I know from his letters how very much he cared for and was interested in the spiritual welfare of the people of this nation. I know, too, that I may express to His Holiness the joy of these same people in his election and the deep affection in which he is held here. I bespeak their prayers for his peace and happiness throughout a Pontificate which, we trust, by God’s goodness will enrich society with the enduring blessings of justice and charity.”

And, with all credit to Cicognani, that is my answer to friends, Catholic and non-Catholic alike: “I give thanks to divine Providence and pray for Leo and for his Pontificate which, we trust, by God’s goodness will enrich society with the enduring blessings of justice and charity.”

That’s all I know, and all I can do.

Amen.

Amleto Cicognani, 1936. Source: library.ucla.edu