Is change possible? Can two different perspectives be integrated with each other? Can conservative and progressive, introspective and extroverted, social and hermitic natures harmonize?
In the Netflix production of "The Two Popes", a 125-minute
biographical drama with fictional elements, I could see that "change is
possible" and two different perspectives can be integrated and harmonized
with each other.
With its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on Aug. 31, "The
Two Popes" was written by Anthony McCarten, based on his play titled
"The Pope" in 2017. Fernando Meirelles directed this film with
Anthony Hopkins starring as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal
Jorge Mario Bergoglio (later Pope Francis).
In April 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is called to
Vatican City to elect a new pope in succession of Pope John Paul II. German
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI, but he had aptitude as a
scholar, not an administrator, especially facing the Vatican leaks scandal. He
had self-doubt about his ability to guide the church especially due to the
habitually offending priest who continued to sexually abuse children after
being assigned to a different parish.
Bergoglio wanted to see the Pope to get the permission to resign from his
position as archbishop in 2012. As a leader of Argentinian Jesuits, he felt a
sense of guilt due to keeping silent during the dictatorship of the past
government; he felt strongly responsible for not being able to resist against
the government and protect two Jesuit priests from being tortured. As a result,
he had to come out of the Jesuit community and serve as an ordinary diocese
priest for 10 years.
Through this painful experience, he changed himself completely into a person
who takes care of people while enjoying being among the poor and the needy
wholeheartedly.
Benedict and Bergoglio met together at the Pope's summer residence at Castel
Gandolfo and the Sistine Chapel. They had a strong debate on the true meaning
of the Gospels and shared different ideas most sincerely. Above all, they
forgave each other through confession.
Since childhood, Benedict was used to reading books and studying a lot, but
ultimately through the face-to-face encounter with Bergoglio, Benedict changed
his point of view about tradition and realized that "change is essential
and necessary." Especially, in front of scandal and self-doubt in the
administration of the church, the introspective, intellectual, and conservative
Pope Benedict finally chose change, progress, and forgiveness.
Pope Benedict enjoyed eating alone, but he changed to dining with others. He
was fond of the piano music of Bedrich Smetana, but he learned to listen to
other songs and dance tango. He liked to read but later found time to watch
football. Regarding changes as compromising, he stuck to the principle but he
began to appreciate the liberal and radical points of view in pursuit of
change.
After a year of their meeting in Rome, Bergoglio was elected after the resigned
Pope Benedict XVI who was not able to reform the church. With the motto of
"mercy" as the key point of evangelization, Pope Francis has appealed
both the whole Catholic Church and other denominations to undergo
transformation since 2013.
Truly, change is possible. Each of us is invited to go on a journey "to be
a field hospital" for those who are hurt in many ways.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2020/01/162_281202.html
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/
January 2(online), 3(offline), 2020
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