Schönborn: These Qualities the New Pope Must Have
"What is important is that the new Pope is attentive to the needs and joys of the people, that he feels a deep love for God and the people. People can sense whether he is speaking empty words or if he truly lives the faith," said the Cardinal.
Origin of the new Pope "secondary" according to Schönborn
From which country the new head of the Roman Catholic Church comes is "secondary." "It would be useful if the new Pope speaks good Italian and English, but language skills are not the decisive factor. The essential thing is that the new Pope is a shepherd. He must commit to peace, the poor, and justice. He must strengthen the people's trust in God," explained Schönborn.
Non-Italian Popes are not uncommon in the Church. Already between the seventh and eighth centuries after Christ, some Popes were appointed from Syria. In the Middle Ages, there was the German Leo IX as Pope. "The Catholic Church is supranational. Of course, as Christians, we have a homeland and a mother tongue, but the Church is universal," emphasized the Cardinal.
Schönborn celebrated Mass in Rome and preached
Schönborn, who is participating in the general congregations to prepare for the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis next Wednesday (May 7), celebrated a Mass on Sunday in his titular church in the Roman district of Portuense and baptized three children. In his sermon, he called on the faithful to pray so that the cardinals gathered in the conclave elect the pope that God has already chosen for the Church. Schönborn is over 80 and therefore no longer eligible to vote.
"Dear God, show the cardinals the one you have already chosen," Schönborn said before the faithful. "I myself am not among the papal electors, but I will pray with all of you for the new pope. What qualities must he have? He must be active, sympathetic, a good organizer, and administrator. These qualities are important, but Jesus asks of him one single quality: True love for Jesus and for the people," Schönborn said in his sermon.
The former Archbishop of Vienna has been celebrating services in his Roman titular church "Gesu divino lavoratore" since 1998. "Since 1998, I have celebrated countless Masses, baptisms, weddings, and confirmations. It is a very lively parish. Cardinals are symbolically pastors of Rome. Therefore, it is always important to maintain contact with the titular church," said Schönborn.
Return to Vienna Before Conclave Begins
The cardinal will still participate in the last general congregations to prepare for the conclave, which are planned for Monday and Tuesday in the Vatican. On Tuesday afternoon, he will then return to Vienna before the conclave begins on Wednesday.
(APA/Red)
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