Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa contemplates forthcoming Vatican gathering
HOST:
The conclave to elect the next pope is just around the corner, and with it comes questions about what the future holds for the Catholic Church. One perspective on this comes from Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and advocate for press freedom who gained notoriety for her coverage of the Rodrigo Duterte regime in the Philippines. Ressa has also met with Pope Francis multiple times, along with other Nobel Prize winners, to discuss some of the world's most pressing issues. My colleague Scott Detrow sat down with her recently to discuss the upcoming conclave and how the legacy of Pope Francis may shape it.
DETROW: When you think about the papacy, it's often been a position that reinforces income inequality, patriarchy, and conservative ideals. But at other times, it's been a shining example of fighting for equality, including the poor, the environment, and more. I'm wondering, as somebody who spends so much time thinking about this rise of global authoritarianism, technology, and governance, what is the role or power of somebody in the papacy to set an agenda and to have such a prominent position to say things and convene people? What's the most important aspect of that?
RESSA: It's 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. That's a large community. And if you think about some of the things Pope Francis did, like connecting income inequality with climate change, pushing the boundaries to be as inclusive as possible, whoever is selected by the conclave can push the church in either direction. So, for example, Pope Francis was a crucial conservative ally of progressive forces around the world.
DETROW: What do you mean by that, a conservative ally of progressive forces?
RESSA: Well, because the Catholic Church is generally conservative, but it could go much further. It could be more progressive. And he had this - he tried to make life better for everyone.
DETROW: There's growing concern among those who were heartened by Pope Francis's papacy that the Catholic Church could go in the same direction that so many governments around the world have gone over the past decade. Do you share that worry?
RESSA: Absolutely. And you'll see this in who some of Pope Francis's own political battles inside the church were against conservative bishops and cardinals, some of them in America. So yes, of course, it's concerning, and the conclave will be important. But again, look at how he changed the church by changing the makeup of the people of the conclave. And that's important. So when I've looked at some of the informal surveys that they've had, like, there are people who have been steeped in the Catholic Church for years, like Pietro Parolin, who's the secretary of state. And probably, from an outsider's perspective, he's No. 1 or very close No. 2. But there's also a cardinal from the Philippines who Pope Francis elevated through his power, right? Cardinal Tagle would not have been there.
DETROW: I'd love to ask you about him because, like you said, he's on that list of half a dozen or so top contenders, but not everybody's focusing on him. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle - he was the Archbishop of Manila. Over the past decade, he had a role in Rome. What should we know about him?
RESSA: He's really funny (laughter). And he has progressive values. He was criticized in the Philippines for not taking a strong enough position against Duterte, but he did speak out against it, and in many ways, he speaks from the heart if that makes sense. Like, so I last saw him at the Vatican at the beginning of the Jubilee in January, and he chuckles. This is a man I know well. When I took over the largest news organization in the Philippines, he had a part of our morning program. He starts the day cheerfully - he makes religion approachable to everyone.
DETROW: So much of the focus at this point, when a new pope hasn't been elected and we know that 135 people are meeting in a beautiful closed room to make a decision, it's a geographic focus - where should the next pope come from? Do you agree with the argument that the future of this institution is in Asia, in countries like the Philippines?
RESSA: It's hard for me to answer something like that because, as a Filipino, of course, I'll say yes. But I would like a leader who takes us into the future, a pope who will not bring us back to the Dark Ages, who will take what Pope Francis has built. You know, it's funny. When he was asked about his legacy, he didn't respond. He said, "My legacy is the church." So I hope for a church that is more inclusive, that gives us the spiritual guidance we all need in this crazy world today.
- The upcoming conclave to elect the next pope holds questions about the future of the Catholic Church.
- Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, discussions with Pope Francis on global issues.
- Ressa believes the role of the pope could push the church towards addressing income inequality, patriarchy, and conservative ideals.
- She sees the power in the pope's position to set an agenda and convene people, with a community of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
- Pope Francis connected income inequality with climate change, pushing for inclusion, and improved lives for all.
- There's a concern that the Catholic Church may follow the path of conservative governments seen globally in recent years.
- Ressa acknowledges the battles Pope Francis had against conservative bishops and cardinals, some American, building concern for the conclave's outcome.
- The makeup of the conclave's participants, like Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines, may determine the future direction of the Catholic Church.
- Cardinal Tagle, a top contender, has been called funny, with progressive values, and a heartfelt approach to religion.
- Discussion of geographic focus for the next pope arises, with a question on whether the future of the institution lies in Asian countries like the Philippines.
- Ressa, as a Filipino, expresses hope for a leader who takes the Catholic Church into the future, avoiding a return to the Dark Ages.
- Pope Francis, when asked about his legacy, said that his legacy was the church, aiming to build a more inclusive institution.
- She hopes for a church that provides the necessary spiritual guidance in today's complex world.
- In this globalized world, various issues such as politics, environment, education, social media, crime, and entertainment shape our lives, all connected to a pope's influence and the Catholic Church.
- From news, technology, sports, movies, pop culture, social media, to war and conflicts, a pope's policies and leadership play a significant role in shaping our personal growth, career development, and the overall future of our communities.
