As is the tradition leading up to Christmas, Pope Francis met with his main collaborators to reassess the reform he is carrying out and the challenges presented by the coming year.
POPE FRANCIS
“Speaking of reform, I think of the amusing yet pointed remark of Archbishop Frédéric-François-Xavier de Mérode: 'Making reforms in Rome is like cleaning the Sphinx with a toothbrush.'”
The pope said much patience, sensitivity and dedication are needed to reform the Curia, because it's one of the oldest and most complex institutions in the world.
He also cautioned the cardinals and bishops of the danger of considering themselves better than everyone and asked them to not allow themselves to get wrapped up in conspiracies.
POPE FRANCIS
“Another danger is those who betray the trust put in them and profiteer from the Church’s motherhood. I am speaking of persons carefully selected to give a greater vigour to the body and to the reform, but – failing to understand the lofty nature of their responsibility – let themselves be corrupted by ambition or vainglory. Then, when they are quietly sidelined, they wrongly declare themselves martyrs of the system, of a 'Pope kept in the dark,' of the 'old guard'..., rather than reciting a mea culpa.”
Pope Francis finished the encounter with a deeper reflection in which he explained the meaning of the reform he is promoting.
POPE FRANCIS
“A faith that does not trouble us is a troubled faith. A faith that does not make us grow is a faith that needs to grow. A faith that does not raise questions is a faith that has to be questioned.”
The pope thanked them for their efforts and gave them two books, one about confession and the other about spiritual life. After, he bid them farewell one by one.
