Q. How did students react when they learned of Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to retire?
A. Once students got past the initial surprise of his decision to retire, they were impressed that Pope Benedict was able to admit that he was no longer able to perform the ministry. We read many stories about young people and how they are disconnected from the Church and have a lack of understanding of tradition, but I was pleased to see that our students have enough awareness to appreciate the meaning and message of Pope Bendict’s retirement.
Q. Who are some of the top contenders for the next pope and what impact would these individuals have on the Catholic Church?
A. In Campus Ministry we have discussed some of the various contenders such as Cardinal Leonardo Sandri of Argentina, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the United States and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines. In general, our students want to see a different face and a very different imagination in the new pope. Whether the Holy Spirit will deliver that right now we will have to see. What I definitely know is there is a desire for something radically different and that a new pope could be an instrument for that change.
Q. What would young people today like to see in the new pope?
A. Many young people would like to see a big change in our leadership of the Church. Many of our students would like to see a leader who addresses the concerns of Catholics today. Those concerns, particularly to our students, include justice issues, immigration and inclusion.
Our students are very sensitive to the fact that many of their friends are diverse and choose to make different choices. Young people would like to see a Church where these people are welcomed, accepted and understood. What I hear as a priest, is these students feel that sometimes the Church doesn’t understand them and their friends.
Q. Are young adults looking for something different than older Catholics?
A. The hope among older Catholic adults, such as myself, is that we have a new leader who can handle the confusion and lack of collaboration in the Vatican. We are looking for a pope that has administrative savvy as well as pastoral energy.
Students aren’t as concerned with the administrative aspects, but are highly concerned with pastoral energy. That energy will enable a leader to get out there and connect with all different types of people and truly be a global leader. Additionally, it goes back to their own sensitivity of being friends with diverse groups of people, with all sorts of backgrounds, cultures, choices and preferences. Could we imagine a Catholic church and a pope who may not agree with all of it, but demonstrate that they are listening?
Q. Is this papal conclave very different than the previous one? How?
A. I think it is a different situation than the last conclave because there isn’t really a clear contender. Most people thought Cardinal Ratzinger would be John Paul II’s successor because they were so close and of anyone Cardinal Ratzinger was the person who would continue John Paul’s legacy. Now there is a real sense that it has to be a different person.
Q. What are your expectations for the outcome of this papal conclave?
A. I just hope that all of the communities and Catholics in the United States, who bring such energy to the Church, will be able to see some connection to themselves in the new pope, some connection to their culture and their way of seeing God and understanding the faith.