“It was truly affecting to see this man . . . whose every move is scrutinized for significance, make his way across the polished floor in a dainty two-step.” Paul_R_Elie recounts a recent event with Pope Francis.
A few weeks ago, Giorgia Meloni, the right-wing-nationalist Prime Minister of Italy, took part in an event with Pope Francis during a conference about Italy’s low birth rate, and was criticized byfor having worn a light-beige pants suit with a long white jacket.
Audiences form the bulk of the Pope’s public life. On Wednesdays, there is a general audience for several thousand people in St. Peter’s Square . Many rows of chairs are set out, and V.I.P.s, press members, well-connected folks, and the infirm are seated in front to receive a personal greeting from the Pope. On Sundays, the Pope leads the Angelus prayer from a window of the papal apartments, with the faithful taking part from the square below.
The Pope appeared in a doorway, and everyone applauded as he entered the room. He carried a claw-footed cane, and with each step he put the cane forward and pivoted slightly toward it. It was truly affecting to see this man, whose life has not been his own in the ten years since he was elected Pope, whose every move is scrutinized for significance, make his way across the polished floor in a dainty two-step.
Sitting just a few paces away from him, I watched intently, focussed on the figure of Francis as much as on the words he was saying. He looked all right: a little tired, but serene and strong of voice. During a briefin St. Peter’s Square in 2015, I had been struck by the vitality in his eyes and his smile. Eight years later, he has put on some weight and walks with some difficulty. But his eyes are still bright, and his smile still seems genuine.
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