May 5, 2005

Smoke signals

The smoke billowed white above the Sistine Chapel, but no bells were to be heard. The crowd of people who had been standing around and filling the street (of Reconciliation) that leads into St. Peter’s Square came running to see the smoke for themselves. Yes, the smoke really was white. Could it be? A decision so quickly? The air was filled with electricity from the excitement. We waited anxiously, wondering who our new neighbor would be. I say “neighbor” because we live directly across the Tiber River from Vatican City in the historic center of Rome.

As a part of a tiny Protestant minority living in the center of the Catholic world, I had a vested interest in my new neighbor. His primacy would not only greatly affect my life here, but lives all over the world.

During the suspenseful 15 minutes before the new pope was announced, Michele and I and Victor Makari, area coordinator for the Middle East and Europe of the PC(USA), were standing in St. Peter’s Square reflecting on what we hoped for in a new pope.

I personally prayed and (continue to pray) for a spiritual man, who unceasingly points to God while following the progressive direction set by Vatican II. I hope he will build on John Paul II’s ecumenical openness to other Christian churches, such as his historic visit to a Lutheran Church (yes, of the Reformation!) and the document he approved on justification. Regarding interfaith dialogue, my wish is that he will expand on John Paul II’s engagement of people of other faiths, remembering his well-publicized interfaith peace conferences, as well as his unprecedented visits to Rome’s Jewish synagogue and the Damascus mosque.

But back to the story. A reporter for ABC’s “Nightline” came over and asked if I would be willing to be interviewed. Getting a diverse story line was difficult for her, since most of the people gathered in the piazza were Catholics, foreign visitors taking in the moment, or simply curious on-lookers. She was pleased to discover we were not only Rome residents, but also Protestants working in interfaith dialogue.

When we finished the interview they continued filming us, following as we walked around St Peter’s Square still waiting and wondering both who the next pope would be, and what his policies will bring while he leads the Catholic Church as it faces its contemporary challenges.

Now that Pope Benedict XVI has been elected, Italian Protestant church leaders are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

The president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), Professor Gianni Long, said:

We Protestants remember a meeting with Cardinal Ratzinger at the Waldensian Theological Seminary in January of 1993. On that occasion, when speaking about the Pope he asserted that ecumenism is, “A fundamental concept, a way to live out our Christianity.” The new Pope, then, has the task of giving body and soul to these words that he pronounced when addressing us Italian Protestants.

Paolo Ricca, Waldensian Theological Seminary, retired, currently with the Waldensian National Board (Tavola Valdese) portfolio in ecumenical affairs:

Guardian of Roman orthodoxy, Ratzinger has come down very forcefully on the centrality of the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church. Expressions such as “sister churches” come in for criticism (if not sisters, what are they?) He insists, as in “Dominus Jesus,” that the Roman Church alone possesses both the means of salvation and truth in its fullness. Nothing reassuring here for ecumenism!

Will Joseph Ratzinger as pope be different than as head of a congregation in the curia? The new responsibilities now upon his shoulders may bring to light gifts heretofore latent. Though it is improbable that the new pope will change the papacy, it could yet be that the papacy will change the new pope.

Pastor Maria Bonafede, vice moderator of the Waldensian Church:

The first statements by the new pope seemed to me to be sincere and open. One of the first things he said was his intention to continue the dialogue between the “Christian churches” and that he is excited by his new assignment. I am pleased to hear this: excited and open to dialogue. It is a good beginning.

Standing in the shadow of St. Peter’s Dome, we are still waiting to see what will become of the signals he has started to send and what real action he will take. I, for one, hope the signals will take on practical significance and depth.

Terry

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 183