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Vatican journalist with front pew seat to momentous year for papacy Vatican journalist with front pew view of momentous year for papacy
(35 minutes later)
When Giovanna Chirri, seasoned Vatican correspondent for the Italian news agency Ansa, turned up to the consistory on 11 February, she wasn't expecting much. The media value of the event was, on paper, strictly limited: Pope Benedict XVI was due to fix a date for the canonisations of the 15th-century Otranto martyrs, but that was about it. It was a holiday in the Vatican. Chirri's shift was looking quiet. When Giovanna Chirri, seasoned Vatican correspondent for the Italian news agency Ansa, turned up to the consistory on 11 February, she wasn't expecting much. The media value of the event was, on paper, strictly limited: Pope Benedict XVI was due to fix a date for the canonisation of the 15th-century Otranto martyrs, but that was about it. It was a holiday in the Vatican. Chirri's shift was looking quiet.
After the pope had made his saintly announcement, however, she began to realise that something else was going on. The pontiff had stayed seated and was speaking, in Latin, about a decision he had made that was "of great importance for the life of the church".After the pope had made his saintly announcement, however, she began to realise that something else was going on. The pontiff had stayed seated and was speaking, in Latin, about a decision he had made that was "of great importance for the life of the church".
Chirri's ears pricked up. The Latin she had learned at school came in handy.Chirri's ears pricked up. The Latin she had learned at school came in handy.
When he utter the words meas ingravescente aetate – "my advanced age" – the journalist knew that she was to witness a historic moment. "I felt ill," Chirri says. "I had a very violent physical reaction … I don't know; it was like I understood first of all with my gut. I knew that something sensational was happening."When he utter the words meas ingravescente aetate – "my advanced age" – the journalist knew that she was to witness a historic moment. "I felt ill," Chirri says. "I had a very violent physical reaction … I don't know; it was like I understood first of all with my gut. I knew that something sensational was happening."
In a brief, tremulously delivered speech, Benedict had done what no head of the Catholic church had done for almost 600 years: resigned. It was, as the dean of the college of cardinals, Angelo Sodano, said: "A bolt from the blue", and it was Chirri who, legs trembling and mind racing, broke the news to world. In a brief, tremulously delivered speech, Benedict had done what no head of the Catholic church had done for almost 600 years: resigned. It was, as the dean of the college of cardinals, Angelo Sodano, said, "a bolt from the blue", and it was Chirri who, legs trembling and mind racing, broke the news to the world.
By 8pm on 28 February, Benedict had left office, and by 13 March the world's 1.2 billion Catholics had a new pope: the first pontiff to be from Latin American, to be a Jesuit and to take his papal name from the patron saint of Assisi, Francis. By 8pm on 28 February, Benedict had left office, and by 13 March the world's 1.2 billion Catholics had a new pope: the first pontiff to come from Latin American, to be a Jesuit and to take his papal name from the patron saint of Assisi, Francis.
Despite that bold profile, few could have then predicted quite how different the new pontiff would turn out to be. "I didn't know him," says Chirri. Like most Vatican watchers, the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio came as something of a surprise to Chirri, albeit a pleasant one. "And so began the great adventure of getting to know him." Despite that bold profile, few could have then predicted quite how different the new pontiff would turn out to be. "I didn't know him," said Chirri. As to most Vatican watchers, the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio came as something of a surprise to Chirri, albeit a pleasant one. "And so began the great adventure of getting to know him," she said.
That adventure has not been limited to the Vatican press corps. Catholics around the world; Christians of varying denominations; people of different faiths, as well as secularists, have been caught up in the buzz of a fledgling papacy that has brought a strikingly new tone and style to the church.That adventure has not been limited to the Vatican press corps. Catholics around the world; Christians of varying denominations; people of different faiths, as well as secularists, have been caught up in the buzz of a fledgling papacy that has brought a strikingly new tone and style to the church.
After nearly eight years of Benedict's intellectual, distant and increasingly brow-beaten leadership, the world has watched agog as his genial, wise-cracking successor pursues his mission to bring the church back down to earth and push its pastoral mission out to the fringes of society.After nearly eight years of Benedict's intellectual, distant and increasingly brow-beaten leadership, the world has watched agog as his genial, wise-cracking successor pursues his mission to bring the church back down to earth and push its pastoral mission out to the fringes of society.
In the first nine months of his papacy, the world has watched Francis shun the apostolic palace in favour of a plain Vatican guesthouse; kissed women's feet; made phone calls to unsuspecting citizens; chosen to use a secondhand Ford Focus, and carried his own bags on to the papal plane. In the first nine months of his papacy, the world has watched Francis shun the apostolic palace in favour of a plain Vatican guesthouse; kiss women's feet; make phone calls to unsuspecting citizens; choose to use a secondhand Ford Focus, and carryhis own bags on to the papal plane.
For Chirri, a devout Catholic, one of the moments that stands out is Francis's trip to Lampedusa, the Mediterranean island infamous for migrant arrivals – and deaths. "It was his very first trip [outside of Rome]. I was there and I must say it made a real impression because he took this problem of the poor, personified by refugees – who represent one of the great emergencies of the contemporary world – and put them at the centre of the world's attention and the church's priorities," says Chirri, adding that "with a single act, like so many other things he's done", Francis has already had an impact. For Chirri, a devout Catholic, one of the moments that stands out is Francis's trip to Lampedusa, the Mediterranean island infamous for migrant arrivals – and deaths. "It was his very first trip [outside Rome]. I was there and I must say it made a real impression because he took this problem of the poor, personified by refugees – who represent one of the great emergencies of the contemporary world – and put them at the centre of the world's attention and the church's priorities," says Chirri, adding that "with a single act, like so many other things he's done", Francis has already had an impact.
Single acts may, unfortunately, not be enough to engender the kind of sweeping reform of the Vatican that Francis has been urged to deliver. But mindful of the Vatileaks scandal that plagued his predecessor in his final months, Francis has made it clear that cleaning up the Roman curia was a priority. Within a month of his election, he struck a blow for collegiality in church governance with the creation of an eight-strong panel of cardinals to advise him on how to improve the running of the Vatican's troubled bureaucracy, as well as the church as a whole. What he wanted, he was quoted as saying in October, was a church "with not just a vertical but horizontal organisation".Single acts may, unfortunately, not be enough to engender the kind of sweeping reform of the Vatican that Francis has been urged to deliver. But mindful of the Vatileaks scandal that plagued his predecessor in his final months, Francis has made it clear that cleaning up the Roman curia was a priority. Within a month of his election, he struck a blow for collegiality in church governance with the creation of an eight-strong panel of cardinals to advise him on how to improve the running of the Vatican's troubled bureaucracy, as well as the church as a whole. What he wanted, he was quoted as saying in October, was a church "with not just a vertical but horizontal organisation".
An indication of the direction this council of curial outsiders could take the church in came in December, when it recommended Francis form a panel of experts to advise on the fight against clerical sex abuse – a move campaigners said was long overdue but welcome nonetheless. Another target of his reformist drive is the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), the scandal-plagued body better known as the Vatican bank. An indication of the direction in which this council of curial outsiders could take the church came in December, when it recommended Francis form a panel of experts to advise on the fight against clerical sex abuse – a move campaigners said was long overdue but welcome nonetheless. Another target of his reformist drive is the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), the scandal-plagued body better known as the Vatican bank.
Expectations, then, are high. Chirri believes this pope wants to and can deliver real change. But "with one proviso, which is that it won't be [him] alone who will do it", she says.Expectations, then, are high. Chirri believes this pope wants to and can deliver real change. But "with one proviso, which is that it won't be [him] alone who will do it", she says.
Reform of the global church depends on much more than just him, Chirri continues, and also on the degree of internal obstacles and dissent he faces. "They say bureaucracy kills all revolutions and the same goes for the Vatican," she says. "There are lobbies; there are powers; there are all those cliques who contributed in part to the tormenting of Benedict's pontificate. They're still there. They haven't gone anywhere." Reform of the global church depends on much more than just him, Chirri continuesd, and also on the degree of internal obstacles and dissent he faces. "They say bureaucracy kills all revolutions and the same goes for the Vatican," she says. "There are lobbies; there are powers; there are all those cliques who contributed in part to the tormenting of Benedict's pontificate. They're still there. They haven't gone anywhere."
For Chirri, who has been covering the Vatican since 1994 and used to have the feeling that nothing much would ever change, the past year has been a rollercoaster ride. There have been points at which she felt she was "living history". And, though for her it was a "very big shock, both personally and professionally", she has come to the conclusion that Benedict's resignation was an act of greatness that paved the way for renewal. Having covered John Paul II's slow physical decline, and his successor's almost relentless torments, Chirri's beat is now an altogether more lively place. "Now, with this hitherto triumphant pontificate," she says, smiling, "it's clear that I'm having more fun."For Chirri, who has been covering the Vatican since 1994 and used to have the feeling that nothing much would ever change, the past year has been a rollercoaster ride. There have been points at which she felt she was "living history". And, though for her it was a "very big shock, both personally and professionally", she has come to the conclusion that Benedict's resignation was an act of greatness that paved the way for renewal. Having covered John Paul II's slow physical decline, and his successor's almost relentless torments, Chirri's beat is now an altogether more lively place. "Now, with this hitherto triumphant pontificate," she says, smiling, "it's clear that I'm having more fun."
A Vatican year to rememberA Vatican year to remember
February Pope Benedict XVI becomes the first pontiff to resign for almost 600 years. He points to old age and deteriorating strength as the reasons for stepping down. On 28 February he heads to the historic retreat of Castel Gandolfo and leaves office at 8pm.February Pope Benedict XVI becomes the first pontiff to resign for almost 600 years. He points to old age and deteriorating strength as the reasons for stepping down. On 28 February he heads to the historic retreat of Castel Gandolfo and leaves office at 8pm.
March Cardinals from around the world fly to Rome for a conclave to elect the 266th pope. Many of those from outside the Roman curia urge reform to avoid further scandals. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, is elected on 13 March. He soon makes clear his desire for "a poor church", eschewing papal luxuries and refocusing debate on the marginalised in society.March Cardinals from around the world fly to Rome for a conclave to elect the 266th pope. Many of those from outside the Roman curia urge reform to avoid further scandals. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, is elected on 13 March. He soon makes clear his desire for "a poor church", eschewing papal luxuries and refocusing debate on the marginalised in society.
April In what is greeted by one observer as the most important step in by the church in 1,000 years, Pope Francis appoints a panel of eight international cardinals to advise him on governance and Vatican reform.April In what is greeted by one observer as the most important step in by the church in 1,000 years, Pope Francis appoints a panel of eight international cardinals to advise him on governance and Vatican reform.
May The Vatican's unprecedented era of papal cohabitation begins as Benedict moves into a former convent on Vatican grounds. Francis makes his most serious attack on unbridled capitalism, lambasting "the cult of money" and the "dictatorship of an economy which is …lacking any truly humane goal".May The Vatican's unprecedented era of papal cohabitation begins as Benedict moves into a former convent on Vatican grounds. Francis makes his most serious attack on unbridled capitalism, lambasting "the cult of money" and the "dictatorship of an economy which is …lacking any truly humane goal".
June Francis sets up commission to review the Institute for Works of Religion (the Vatican bank). Two days later, a senior Vatican cleric is arrested on suspicion of plotting to smuggle €20m (£17m) into Italy from Switzerland.June Francis sets up commission to review the Institute for Works of Religion (the Vatican bank). Two days later, a senior Vatican cleric is arrested on suspicion of plotting to smuggle €20m (£17m) into Italy from Switzerland.
July In his first papal visits outside Rome and Italy, Francis goes to Lampedusa- – where he inveighs against a "globalisation of indifference" – and then to Brazil, where he urges pilgrims to reach out "to the fringes" of society. Back home the papacy has its first hiccup as the Vatican denies gay sex claims relating to the pope's representative at its bank .July In his first papal visits outside Rome and Italy, Francis goes to Lampedusa- – where he inveighs against a "globalisation of indifference" – and then to Brazil, where he urges pilgrims to reach out "to the fringes" of society. Back home the papacy has its first hiccup as the Vatican denies gay sex claims relating to the pope's representative at its bank .
August Francis appoints Pietro Parolin, a career Vatican diplomat, as his secretary of state, breaking with the scandal-ridden era of Tarcisio Bertone, Benedict's righthand man.August Francis appoints Pietro Parolin, a career Vatican diplomat, as his secretary of state, breaking with the scandal-ridden era of Tarcisio Bertone, Benedict's righthand man.
September In an interview with a Jesuit journal, Francis sets out his vision for a "new balance" in the Catholic church, with a less condemnatory attitude towards gay people, divorcees and women who have had abortions.September In an interview with a Jesuit journal, Francis sets out his vision for a "new balance" in the Catholic church, with a less condemnatory attitude towards gay people, divorcees and women who have had abortions.
October The eight cardinals picked by Francis as advisors fly to Rome for their first series of meetings with him, in what is likened to a "papal G8", marking the beginning of the reform agenda in earnest.October The eight cardinals picked by Francis as advisors fly to Rome for their first series of meetings with him, in what is likened to a "papal G8", marking the beginning of the reform agenda in earnest.
November Francis hits out at the church's "excessive centralisation" and rails against unfettered capitalism's "economy of exclusion and inequality" in his first solely authored document, an apostolic exhortation.November Francis hits out at the church's "excessive centralisation" and rails against unfettered capitalism's "economy of exclusion and inequality" in his first solely authored document, an apostolic exhortation.
December In the first concrete move from the council of cardinals, Francis approves creation of expert panel to fight clerical sex abuse. He is named 'person of the year' by both gay rights magazine the Advocate and Time.December In the first concrete move from the council of cardinals, Francis approves creation of expert panel to fight clerical sex abuse. He is named 'person of the year' by both gay rights magazine the Advocate and Time.
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