Notes from Rome by John Paul Shimek

Notes from Rome by John Paul Shimek | Catholic World Report

Blessed Pope John Paul II’s 1996 Apostolic Constitution Universi
Dominici Gregis ordained that, “After the
solemn ceremony of the inauguration of the Pontificate and within an
appropriate time, the Pope will take possession of the Patriarchal Archbasilica
of the Lateran, according to the prescribed ritual” (UDG, n. 92). On March 27, Vatican Information Service
announced the date for that event. In an official bollettino of the Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, the Vatican announced that “The solemn celebration
of the Eucharist during which Francis will take possession of the cathedra of
the Bishop of Rome will take place in the Lateran Basilica on April 7th, the
Second Sunday of Easter, or Divine Mercy Sunday, at 5:30pm.” Unlike Universi
Dominici Gregis, the Press Office’s
bulletin laid the stress on the
‘cathedra of the Bishop of Rome,’ not the ‘Patriarchal Archbasilica of the
Lateran.’ It is well-known that Francis favors the title ‘Bishop of Rome’ over
the title ‘Pope.’ He uses the first title much more often than the second one.
For instance, on the night of his election, Pope Francis used the title
‘Bishop’ some six times, but did not use the title ‘Pope’ once.

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Pope Francis addressed crowds in Italian at this week’s
General Audience, which was held inside St. Peter’s Square on March 27. After
his address, assistants read translations of his remarks in various national
languages. Then, Pope Francis greeted pilgrims in Italian. Although Francis
speaks Spanish, French, German, and English, he has decided to address crowds
in Italian, the language of the Bishop of Rome and his people. This custom
differs from that of Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Both men used to address crowds in various languages.

Oftentimes, Pope Francis will address crowds in colloquial
or Roman Italian. In the course of his first Angelus address, he called
Cardinal Walter Kasper a theologian “in gamba,” which is akin to the German “Mensch.” At the same time, he takes
note of Roman or Italian customs, wishing pilgrims a good pranzo. And, he identifies with Roman religious practices.
On the morning after his election, he visited the image of the Salus
Populi Romani at the Basilica of Santa
Maria Maggiore. Pope Francis is making a conscious effort to appeal to the
Roman people as their new bishop.  

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On March 27, the Vatican’s Sala Stampa confirmed that Pope Francis will continue residing at
the Domus Sancta Marthae.

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