Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/955503
12 maltatoday SUNDAY 18 MARCH 2018 News IN the long line of black SUVs car- rying security personnel, a quaint Fiat 500 carrying Pope Francis stood out, eliciting astonishment among American commentators. Here was Pope Francis being driv- en around in a simple car, a far cry from the saloons and SUVs ordinar- ily used by visiting dignitaries. This contrast may appear as a curi- ous piece of gossip, one that elicits a smile, but it is representative of Jorge Bergoglio's five-year-old pa- pacy. The archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio, was a little- known man before the conclave of cardinals chose him to head the Catholic church in March 2013. The few moments of apparent hesitation as he took his first steps on the main balcony in the Vatican five years ago were soon followed by a homely greeting to the thousands of Catholic pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square that night. A wave of endearment ensued as Bergoglio asked the people to pray for him in silence before he gave his blessing to the crowd. The choice of name – Francis – made it immediately apparent that the new Pope would lead a church that made a preferential option for the poor. But it is not just through the sym- bolism of running around in an or- dinary car or wearing simple clothes that Pope Francis has grabbed at- tention. His communication style is another asset that has left many listening. For Fr Jimmy Bonnici, a defin- ing characteristic of Pope Francis is the way he manages to translate the Gospel into concrete lifestyle choices. "It is his concrete way of speaking about problems society faces such as consumerism, corruption and pov- erty, that helps people connect with the Pope," Fr Bonnici says. Pope Francis's frankness and sim- ple language is also evident in his official writings, suffice to say that Amoris Laetitia, the exhortation released in 2016 focusing on family life and relationships, contains mul- tiple references to situations people can identify with. One minor detail is a reference to parental concerns when children coming of age start venturing out of the family – hardly a situation you would expect the Pope to speak about. But it is these flashes of ordinary life in his words that give Pope Fran- cis credibility when he speaks, Fr Bonnici believes. This has prompted many to stand up and listen to his words, some- thing which priests like Fr Bonnici feel is a positive thing. "This does not mean people are flocking back to the Church but there are many more who can con- nect to the Pope's message… There are no magical solutions but the Pope is encouraging us to change our attitude and this will be benefi- cial in the long run," Fr Bonnici says. The Pope's simple message has been derided by some critics as lack- ing a theological foundation but the best defence he received was from his predecessor Benedict XVI. On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis's election last week, the retired Pope defended the con- tinuity of the Church's teaching un- der his successor. In a letter sent to Mgr Dario Vi- gano, prefect of the Vatican Sec- retariat for Communication, Pope Benedict applauded the publication of a new book series entitled, 'The Theology of Pope Francis'. "It contradicts the foolish preju- Shattering orthodoxy: Faith and that Fiat 500 There was no magical resurgence in the Catholic church but the simple language and lifestyle choices of Pope Francis that got people listening. Bishops and priests share their thoughts with Kurt Sansone on the fifth anniversary of the Pontiff's election S I T U A T I O N V A C A N T I.T. OPERATOR The Regulator for Energy and Water Services is seeking to recruit an I.T. Operator. The selected candidate must be in possession of at least five O levels, including Mathematics, and an MCAST National/Advanced Diploma in I.T. or be in possession of an A level in Computer Studies, and be proficient in the use of widely available software packages. Interested persons are requested to send their application, together with a detailed CV, by not later than noon of Wednesday, 28 March 2018. Further details with regards to this post may be obtained from the office of the Chief Executive Officer on telephone number 22955121 or on request by email at: ceo@rews.org.mt or from the Regulator's website. Applications marked Private and Confidential, are to be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Regulator for Energy and Water Services, Millennia, 2 nd Floor, Aldo Moro Street, Marsa, MRS 9065, or by e-mail to ceo@rews.org.mt. All applications shall be acknowledged and treated in the strictest confidence. Millennia, Aldo Moro Road, Marsa, MRS 9065. Tel.: 22955121; Fax.: 22955200 http://www.rews.org.mt JOBPLUS PERMIT No.: 87/2018 KURT SANSONE Five years of Francis: According to Malta's Archbishop, Pope Francis has conveyed the image of a Pope who is very close to the man in the street with his direct way of communicating "Mercy is the Pope's hallmark," says Archbishop Charles Scicluna