the black bag instead of a member of your entourage, and, second, could you tell us what was in it? Thank you.
Pope Francis
It wasn’t the code for the atom bomb! I was carrying it because that’s what I’ve always done. When I travel, I carry it. What was inside? There was a razor, a breviary, an appointment book, and a book to read. I brought one about St. Thérèse, to whom I have a devotion. I have always taken a bag with me when I travel. It’s normal. But we have to be normal. I don’t know; it seems a bit strange to me that you tell me the photograph made its way around the world. But we must get used to being normal—to the normality of life. I don’t know, Andrea, whether I have answered your question.
Father Lombardi
Now we will invite a representative from the Portuguese-language group to speak, Aura Miguel … from Radio Renascença.
Aura Miguel
Your Holiness, I want to ask why you are so insistent that people pray for you. It’s a little unusual to hear the pope asking people to pray for him so often!
Pope Francis
I have always made this request. When I was a priest, I asked for people to do so, but less frequently. I began to ask for prayers with greater frequency when I was a bishop, because I sense that if the Lord does not help me in this work of assisting the People of God to move forward, it won’t happen. I am truly conscious of my many limitations, my many problems, and I am a sinner—as you know! So, I have to ask for prayers. But it comes from within. I also ask Our Lady to pray to the Lord for me. It’s a habit, but a habit that comes from my heart and also a real need in terms of my work. I feel I have to ask. I don’t know—that’s just the way it is!
Father Lombardi
Now we move on to the English-language group, and we invite our colleague, Mr. Pullella from Reuters, here in front, to speak.
Philip Pullella
Your Holiness, on behalf of the English-language group, thank you for making yourself available. Our colleague, Juan de Lara, has already asked the one question we wanted to ask, but I would like to continue just a little further along the same lines. When you were seeking to make these changes [in the Curia], I recall that you told a group from Latin America that there are many saints working in the Vatican, but that there are also people who are a little less saintly. Didn’t you? Have you encountered resistance to your desire to change things in the Vatican? Have you met with resistance?
The second question is as follows. You live in a very austere manner: you have remained at Santa Marta, and so on. Would you like your collaborators, including the cardinals, to follow this example, and to live, perhaps, in community? Or is this something for you alone?
Pope Francis
The changes come from two sources: what we cardinals asked for, and what has to do with my own personality. You mentioned the fact that I remained at Santa Marta. I could not live alone in a palace even though it’s not luxurious. The papal apartment is not at all luxurious. It’s fairly large, but it’s not luxurious. However, I cannot live alone or with just a few people. I need people. I need to meet people and talk to people. That’s why when the children from the Jesuit schools asked me: “Why did you do that? For austerity, for poverty?” No, not at all. It was simply for psychological reasons because psychologically I can’t do otherwise. Everyone has to lead his own life, everyone has his own way of living and being. The cardinals who work in the Curia do not live wealthy, opulent lives: They live in small apartments that are rather austere—they really are austere, especially the ones with which I am familiar that APSA [the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See] provides for the cardinals.
It seems to me that there is something else I should say. Everyone has to live as the Lord asks him to live. But I think that austerity, austerity in general, is necessary for all of us who work in the service of the Church. There are many varieties of austerity, and each person must seek his own path. As regards the saints, it’s true. There are saints—cardinals, priests, bishops, sisters, and laypeople—who pray, people who work hard, and who also help the poor in hidden ways. I know of some people whose work it is to provide food for the poor, and then, in their free time, go to minister in this or that church. They are priests. There are saints in the Curia. And there are some who are not so saintly. These are the ones you tend to hear about. You know that one tree falling makes more noise than a whole forest growing. It pains me when these things happen. Then there are some who create a scandal, at least a few. We have one bishop who is in prison, at least I think he’s still in prison. He didn’t exactly go to prison because he was like Blessed Imelda; he was no saint. These are scandals, and they cause damage.
One other thing … I’ve never said this before, but I have come to realize it. I think that the Curia has fallen somewhat from the level it once had, in bygone days, where the typical profile of the members of the Curia of old was one of people who faithfully carried out their work. I feel we need such people. I feel there are some, but not as many as there once were. We need more people who fit this profile of the Curia members of old.
Do I encounter resistance? Well, if there is resistance, I haven’t seen it yet! It’s true that I haven’t done much, but I would have to say that I have found help, and I have found loyal people. For example, I like it when people say to me, “I don’t agree,” and indeed I have encountered this. Or when people say: “But I don’t see that way. I disagree. This is what I think, but do as you wish.” These are truly co-workers. Moreover, I have found people like this in the Curia, which is good. But when people tell me, “Oh, how wonderful, how truly wonderful,” and then say the opposite somewhere else … I have yet to come across this. Maybe it happens. Maybe there are some people like this, but I’m not aware of them. Resistance? After just four months, you won’t find that much!
Father Lombardi
We’ll now move on to someone from Brazil, which seems only fitting. So here is Patricia Zorzan. Perhaps Mr. Izoard could come forward, so that we can have a French speaker next.
Patricia Zorzan
Speaking on behalf of Brazilians, society has changed. Young people have changed, and in Brazil we have seen many young people. You did not speak about abortion or about same-sex marriage. In Brazil a law has been approved which widens the right to abortion and permits marriage between people of the same sex. Why did you not address these issues?
Pope Francis
The Church has already spoken quite clearly on these matters. It was unnecessary to return to these issues, just as I didn’t speak about cheating, lying, or other matters on which the Church has a clear teaching.
Zorzan
But these are issues that interest young people.
Pope Francis
Yes, but it wasn’t necessary to speak about them, but rather about the positive things that open up the path to young people. Isn’t that right? Besides, young people know perfectly well what the Church’s position is.
Zorzan
What is Your Holiness’ position, if I may ask?
