That of the Church. I am a son of the Church.
Father Lombardi
Well, now let’s return to the Spanish group, Dario Menor Torres. Excuse me. First of all, Mr. Izoard, whom we have already called forward, so that we have someone from the French group, and then Dario Menor Torres!
Antoine-Marie Izoard
Greetings, Your Holiness, on behalf of my French-speaking colleagues on board this flight—of whom there are nine of us! For a pope who does not want to give interviews, we are truly grateful to you. Since March 13, you have notably insisted on introducing yourself as the Bishop of Rome. We would like to understand the deeper significance of such an insistence. Rather than collegiality, are we perhaps speaking about ecumenism, perhaps of your being the primus inter pares [“first among equals”] of the Church? Thank you.
Pope Francis
Indeed, in this regard we must not go beyond what is said. The pope is a bishop, the Bishop of Rome, and because he is the Bishop of Rome he is the Successor of Peter, Vicar of Christ. There are other titles, but the first title is “Bishop of Rome,” and everything flows from that. To say or to think this means being primus inter pares, no, this does not follow. It is simply the pope’s first title: Bishop of Rome. But there are others, too. I think you said something about ecumenism. I think this actually helps ecumenism. But only this…
Father Lombardi
Now, Dario Menor of La Razón, from Spain.
Dario Menor Torres
A question about how you feel. A week ago you mentioned that a child had asked you how it felt, whether someone could imagine being pope, and whether anyone would want to be pope. You said that people would have to be mad to want such a thing. After your first experience in the midst of a great multitude of people such as you encountered during these days in Rio, can you tell us how it feels to be pope—whether it’s very hard, whether you are happy to be pope, whether in some way your faith has grown, or whether, on the contrary, you have had some doubts. Thank you.
Pope Francis
To do the work of a bishop is a wonderful thing; it’s wonderful. The problem arises when someone seeks out such work. Such a thing is not so good; it is not from the Lord. But when the Lord calls a priest to become a bishop, this is something good. There is always the danger of thinking oneself a little superior to others, not like others, somewhat like a prince. There are dangers and there is sin. But the work of a bishop is wonderful: it is to help one’s brothers and sisters move forward. The bishop is ahead of the faithful to mark out the path; the bishop is in the midst of the faithful to foster communion; and the bishop is behind the faithful, because the faithful can often sniff out the right path. The bishop must be like that.
You asked me whether I like it. Yes, I like being a bishop. I like it. In Buenos Aires I was very happy, very happy! I was happy; it’s true! The Lord helped me in that. But as a priest, I was also happy, and as a bishop, I was also happy. In this sense I say: I like it!
Question from the floor
And as pope?
Pope Francis
Likewise, likewise! When the Lord puts you there, and if you do what the Lord wants, you are happy. This is my feeling. This is how I feel.
Father Lombardi
Now another representative from the Italian group: Salvatore Mazza of Avvenire.
Salvatore Mazza
I can’t stand up! Excuse me, I can’t stand up because of all the wires I have under my feet!
During the past few days we’ve seen you full of energy, even until the late hours of the evening. We are watching you now on board the aircraft that is tilting from side to side, and you’re calmly standing there, without the least bit of hesitation. We would like to ask you the following question. There is talk about future trips. There is a lot of talk about Asia, Jerusalem, and Argentina. Do you already have a more or less definite schedule for next year? Or has everything yet to be decided?
Pope Francis
Definite? Nothing is definite. But I can say something about what is being planned. One thing that is definite is September 22 in Cagliari [in Italy]. Then, October 4 in Assisi. Within Italy, I have a plan in mind to go and visit my relatives for a day, flying there one morning and returning the next morning, because, bless them, they call me and we have a good relationship. But only for one day. Outside of Italy, Patriarch Bartholomew I wants to have a meeting to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the meeting between Athenagoras and Paul VI in Jerusalem. The Israeli government has also issued a special invitation to go to Jerusalem. I think the government of the Palestinian Authority has done the same. This is what is in the pipeline, but it is not yet clear whether I’m going or not going.
As regards Latin America, I don’t think there is a possibility of returning, because for this Latin American pope, his first journey has been to Latin America! That’s enough! We have to wait a little now! I think I could go to Asia, but this is all up in the air. I have been invited to go to Sri Lanka and also to the Philippines. However, I must go to Asia because Pope Benedict [XVI] did not have time to go to Asia, and it is important. He went to Australia and then to Europe and America, but not to Asia. As regards going to Argentina. I think this can wait for a moment because all these trips have a certain priority. I wanted to go to Istanbul on September 30 to visit Bartholomew I, but that won’t be possible because of my schedule. If we meet, it will be in Jerusalem.
Question from the floor
Fatima?
Pope Francis
Fatima? There is also an invitation to Fatima, that’s true. There is an invitation to go to Fatima.
Question from the floor
September 30? Or November 30?
Pope Francis
November. The feast of St. Andrew.
Father Lombardi
Now we move to the United States and invite Hada Messia from CNN to ask you a question.
Hada Messia
Hello! You’re coping better than I am! My question is as follows. When you met the young people from Argentina, maybe with tongue in cheek or maybe seriously, you told them that you, too, at times, feel penned in. We would like to know what exactly you were referring to.
Pope Francis
You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to go walking through the streets of Rome, because, back in Buenos Aires, I loved to go walking around the city! In this sense, I feel a little penned in. But I have to say that the guys over at the Vatican Gendarmerie are
