Pope Francis has already fostered a new attitude and discourse within the Church in the six short months since he was elected, according to two prominent scholars of religion. His focus on the poor and the marginalized, particularly within Latin America, along with his charisma and openness, has made him popular amongst many in the region, home to 42% of the world’s Catholics.
At a forum hosted by the Inter-American Dialogue, Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University and José Casanova of Georgetown University discussed the effects Pope Francis could have in revitalizing Catholicism, reshaping politics, and future implications of his unique style in Latin America.
Pope Francis’ focus on a preferential option for the poor is reminiscent of the liberation theology movement of previous decades. His focus on this revitalization, as well as his overwhelming charisma, is part of an effort to renew Catholicism in Latin America, panelists stated. Since the 1950s, Catholicism has been losing its population to Pentecostalist and evangelical populations. Chesnut said that Pope Francis is borrowing from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and Pentecostal movements to inspire the population and appeal to the marginalized. Casanova noted that Francis is very pastoral and emphasizes the need of the Church to extend out to the peripheries of society and talk to ordinary people in a way in which they can relate.
The Pope’s charisma has attracted many followers and even influenced politics in the region. Chesnut pointed to the Pope adamantly condemning drug culture and any form of legalization, while Casanova added that he denounced capitalism because it leads to unemployment, which Pope Francis believes robs people of their dignity. Pope Francis has also affected political leaders in the region. President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who defiantly opposed Pope Francis when he was still bishop of Buenos Aires over his views on gay marriage before he was elected Pope, has since embraced him for fear of losing supporters. Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro is also a huge proponent of Francis, though his mentor Hugo Chávez had a notoriously contentious relationship with the Church, and even praised the Pope multiple times for his ethical agenda.
Panelists agreed that Pope Francis’ personality and changes to the tone of Church doctrine are refreshing, and another factor that has attracted more people to Catholicism. Casanova attributed much of this to the fact that he is a Franciscan Jesuit. Chesnut and Casanova admired the Pope’s listening abilities, as well as his use of personal rather than doctrinal language. They added that his more frequent use of Spanish and Portuguese appeals to Latin Americans and makes the Church seem more accessible. Casanova stated that Francis’ recent interview, which was the first ever given by a pope without preconditions, emphasizes the need of the Church to have conversations and address issues such as abortion, gays, and contraception in a new way. While he is not changing doctrine, he is saying that the Church should approach it with a different, more humanistic tone.
The Pope’s visit to Brazil was perhaps most indicative of his desire to reactivate the Catholic faith in Latin America. Chesnut explained that the number of Catholics in Brazil has dropped from 99% in 1950, to 63% now. He added that Brazil faces the prospect of no longer being majority Catholic within the next two decades. Panelists said that his trip was a proactive measure to resurrect the faith in the region, and it appeared successful. It was one of the mostly highly attended papal events ever with three million pilgrims filling the Copacabana beach, and Brazilians responded positively to his visit to a drug and rehabilitation center, and his embrace of pilgrims in wheelchairs.
It was clear to the Church when it picked an Argentinian pope that Latin America holds the key to the future of Catholicism. His preferential option for the poor and genuine benevolence is part of an effort to stop the hemorrhaging of Catholics to Pentecostalism in Latin America. One thing Chesnut and Casanova agreed on: everyone is talking about this Pope.
