Bagnasco declares: "Francesco provided us with the fortitude to persist through adversity when all seems bleak."
CHATTING WITH THE CARDINAL: THE LEGACY OF POPE FRANCIS
VATICAN CITY. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco takes a moment, his voice trembling. "The Urbi et Orbi blessing of Easter was a massive gesture, an embrace to the people, the Church, humanity as a whole. And, together, the world's embrace returned to him, to his shepherd." Pope Francis "transmitted the courage of faith that overcomes every obstacle, pain, suffering. And he leaves us the strength to look up, to go on even when everything seems dark." In a heart-to-heart with our website, the emeritus Archbishop of Genoa reflects on the spiritual and human legacy of Bergoglio's pontificate.
The Symbolic Image: A Fellow Traveler"Without a doubt, the Urbi et Orbi blessing of Easter. That image of the Pope leaning out, visibly weary, but determined, blessing the world with a gaze that transcends suffering, has immense value. It's as if he's saying: "I'm here, until the end. And the Lord is with us." In retrospect, it seems almost a farewell."
Resignation or Entrustment?"No: a gesture of entrustment, of surrender. An embrace to the Church and the whole world. And, at the same time, an embrace that the whole world returned to him. It was a moment of intense communion: him, fragile in body, but strong in spirit, and all of us - the people of God - united around our shepherd. Perhaps it was the last great visual catechesis of Francis: the testimony that the power of the Gospel is manifested in weakness offered with love. A lesson that will accompany us for a long time."
A Message of Faith and Courage"First of all, his faith, which he has constantly shown through prayer and entrustment to the Lord. A faith lived, concrete, rooted in the Gospel. And then, great courage."
In what sense?"Courage that has manifested itself not only in the most solemn public moments, but also in the simplest gestures: an unexpected appearance, a sudden greeting, a smile despite the suffering. It was a strength that knew how to infuse hope in people. The last Urbi et Orbi blessing and the walk among the crowd in the square are deeply iconic acts, which speak of his will to never leave the Church alone. Gestures that will remain etched in collective memory, and that indicate a path: look up, have the courage to go on even when everything seems dark."
Spiritual Legacy: A Church of the People"Every Pope, as the successor of Peter, has the task of confirming the brothers in the faith. Francis has done so with simple but very profound words, and with a pastoral style that has touched hearts. He has reminded us that faith is not an abstract idea, but a living relationship with Christ. In a world marked by fears, divisions, conflicts, he has insisted on an essential point: Jesus is our hope. He has done so during the pandemic, in the dramas of war, in the face of pain and loneliness. He has known how to speak to the heart of people and bring them back to the essential: God is near, he does not abandon us. And from this awareness comes the strength not to give up, to walk, to be - as he said - "pilgrims of hope". This is his legacy: an incarnate faith, a reliable hope, an active charity."
A Church for the People: The Future of the FaithProximity to the people has been a defining feature of his pontificate. "From the beginning, Pope Francis has wanted the Church to be a 'field hospital,' a place where the wounds of contemporary man can be received and cared for. He has asked pastors to have the 'smell of the sheep,' that is, not to live distant from the people, but immersed in the real life of the people. This has always been the heart of the evangelical mission: to be in history without being assimilated by it, witnessing the truth of the Gospel with love and proximity. In Italy, with its tens of thousands of parishes, this capillary presence is an extraordinary sign of proximity. It is a reality that has no equal: every day, the Church meets millions of people where they live, work, and suffer. Pope Francis has known how to enhance this network of proximity and has reminded us that it is the way to proclaim the Gospel in our time. We must be grateful to the priests who, as parish priests or in other services, realize this proximity in the name of Jesus."
A Personal Memory: The Embrace of Hope"The great trust he has shown in me. He demonstrated it from the beginning, confirming me in the service to the Italian Episcopal Conference, and then also in our personal relationship. I particularly remember his visit to Genoa: it was an extraordinary event. His words were simple but profound, his gestures spoke for themselves. The people - and we're talking about at least 100,000 people - gathered around him with sincere affection. It's unforgettable, the silent embrace with some sick people, the caress to a child, the moved prayer before the Madonna della Guardia. These are moments that stay with you. For me, as a pastor, and for all those who have met him."
[Source: La Stampa]
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The search results do not provide a specific quote or description from Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco about the symbolic image of Pope Francis' pontificate. However, Pope Francis' pontificate is often characterized by simplicity, humility, and a commitment to social justice, which have been key symbolic elements of his tenure. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, as a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, might appreciate these aspects as reflective of Pope Francis' leadership style and vision for the Church[4][5].
For detailed insights directly from Cardinal Bagnasco, additional sources or specific statements from him would be needed.
- The symbolic image of Pope Francis during his Urbi et Orbi blessing at Easter, leaning out to bless the world despite visible exhaustion, carries immense value as it signifies his commitment to remain alongside the Church until the end, regardless of challenges.
- Pope Francis' Urbi et Orbi blessing gesture was not a farewell but rather a sign of entrustment and surrender to the Church and the world, at the same time being an embrace that the world returned in an act of intense communion.
- Cardinal Bagnasco acknowledges Pope Francis' faith as a defining aspect of his leadership, demonstrated through constant prayer, concrete actions rooted in the Gospel, and great courage.
- The final Urbi et Orbi blessing and the walk among the crowd in the square are deeply iconic acts that reflect Pope Francis' will never to abandon the Church and symbolize a path for the faithful to persevere even in the face of adversity.
