Pope Francis, in first autobiography, says he will not choose to retire
VATICAN CITY — He confesses to being “dazzled by a girl” in his youth who made it difficult for him “to pray.” He takes a swipe at the European Union and denounces the U.S. decision to drop atomic bombs as “immoral.” He says he’s no “communist” and chides those who sought to pit him against his predecessor. He has bad news for his critics: He will not voluntarily retire.
In Pope Francis’ first autobiography, which publishes Tuesday, the first Latin American pontiff offers an up-tothe-minute take on his life and papacy. Written with Italian journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, who offers a near theatrical setup to each chapter, the book fleshes out the key moments of Francis’ 87 years and amounts to a personal history — and defense — from a pontiff regularly embraced by liberals and pilloried by archconservatives.
What emerges is an unapologetic account from a Catholic leader who balances his role as defender of traditional doctrine with humanism and the distinct perspective of the Global South. In a departure from the ponderous verses of popes, he deploys simple language and open references to his critics. Even the concept of a full papal autobiography is somewhat novel for modern times. Pope Benedict XVI only wrote a memoir when he was still a cardinal, while John Paul II wrote two personal histories that focused on his spirituality.
In perhaps the most compelling part of the book, Francis writes of being gobsmacked by the retirement of Benedict XVI, an event he says he learned about from a journalist.
Francis describes himself as being almost in denial about his rapidly elevating chances of being elected pope at the time of the 2013 conclave.
Only a colleague quizzing him about his health tipped him off as to how real his chances were. He writes of his unease with the gilded trappings of his office, and his decision to reject the finery that came with it.
There has been much written — and much speculation — about the relationship between Francis and Benedict. Here, Francis reflects on the delicate balance of managing a church with two popes.
He says he encouraged Benedict not to “live out of view,” but to see people and participate in the “life of the church.” In an apparent reference to his conservative critics, he notes that decision did little to limit the ideological and political “disputes” that erupted between him and the “unscrupulous people” who never accepted Benedict’s resignation.
Francis has at times seemed to open the door to retirement, only to later shut it. He is more definitive in this book. He says he has no intention of following in Benedict’s footsteps by retiring.
Referring to his critics, he says “some people may have hoped that sooner or later, perhaps after a stay in the hospital, I might make an announcement of that kind, but there is no risk of it.”
Like all popes, he writes, he has made certain arrangements. But “I believe the pope’s ministry is ad vitam, for life, and I therefore see no justification for giving it up.”
And yet, Francis ventures to imagine his life should he ever be forced to hang up the white hat due to “serious physical impediment.” He says he would want to be known as “bishop of Rome emeritus,” eschewing the “pope emeritus” title that Benedict chose.