Both Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, have shared frank remarks with major newspapers, each going some way to clearing the air on their approach toward current issues.
In his latest interview published Sunday in the Argentine daily La Nacion, Pope Francis affirmed he wishes to relax rules on Catholic remarried divorcees to further integrate them into the church. He also dismissed accusations that he demoted an American cardinal and said he is planning on visiting Africa next year, with a possible trip to Argentina in 2016.
Speaking for 50 minutes to Argentine journalist Elisabeth Piqué at his St. Martha residence Dec. 4, he gives some clues to his thinking and approach to the papacy: first, that he doesn’t want to change as Pope but remain as he’s always been because to change at his age “would be to make a fool of yourself.”
Second, he welcomes resistance to his leadership as it’s “very healthy” to have things “out into the open.” And third, when it comes to the effect of criticism on him, he said God has bestowed on him “a healthy dose of unawareness. I just do what I have to do".
The last comment is coherent with what has been said of Pope Francis: that he pays little or no attention to what the media say and rarely reads newspapers. He alludes to this in the interview, saying “in general people don’t read about what is going on” and he urges people to read his actual words rather than media interpretations. ….
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