The Pope’s love of an intense dance and a good argument

Pope Francis was famous for his love of the Tango – and indeed hundreds of couples performed this Latin dance in St Peter’s Square to mark his 78th birthday in 2014. But Francis later confessed he had a preference for the Milonga – a faster, more intense version of this amazing dance, which is perhaps more in line with Francis’ personality and his style as pontiff. The Milonga has more suggestive pauses, sudden breaks, and more freedom for improvisation. There’s something else appropriate about the Milonga: it can be translated to mean “verbal rebellion” or “argument” – certainly a stark characteristic of the Francis era.

Although Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio took the name of the Twelfth century saint known for “channelling peace”, this modern Francis liked to provoke debate, to stir things up. “If the dishes fly,” he would tell young engaged couples, “So be it.” Of course, he would caution that such displays should end with swift forgiveness and understanding. “Never end the day without making peace,” he would add with a grin.

To be honest, many traditional Catholics might have been tempted to let a few plates fly over some of the things Pope Francis would say and do – or was supposed to have said or done. His pontificate came in the age of communication when his every word and deed was analysed and interpreted. The difficulty was that the news media is really only equipped for black and white, and does not do well with subtle shades of grey, especially when it comes to headlines.

Balance

As a Jesuit, this Pope, a deep thinker, shared complex thoughts that did not fit into neat headlines. The result was media spin and rows over hot button issues. “Some Catholics,” said an AI overview on Google, “believe that Pope Francis has caused confusion by making comments that contradict traditional teachings on sex, family and other issues.”

In 2016, for example, it was widely reported that Pope Francis believed co-habitation for unmarried couples was acceptable. Surely he was just urging understanding and a kind welcome for couples who were not yet ready to make that commitment?

There were times when a word from the Pope could have cleared up controversies, but instead he chose silence, or what one might call a long Milonga pause. This pope was comfortable with pushing boundaries, questions and mystery. But in an increasingly confused and uncertain world, many Catholics demanded clarity from Christ’s vicar on Earth, unwilling to dance to his tune. “I’m sitting this one out,” a priest discreetly replied when a Catholic lay person asked for his thoughts on Pope Francis’ moves.

On the other side of the coin, there were adoring wall flowers who seemed to hang on Francis’ every word as if it were gospel”

Others were not so quiet – quite willing to score his performance, and speaking all kinds of calumny, even challenging the Pope’s loyalty and legitimacy. On the other side of the coin, there were adoring wall flowers who seemed to hang on Francis’ every word as if it were gospel.

From time to time, Francis reassured traditionalists – for example when he metaphorically stamped his foot and spoke plainly. “Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem?” was his frank condemnation of abortion. But at the same time, he danced a little side-step when it came to US President Joe Biden, who was not challenged publicly on his fanatical support for the “right” to destroy children in the womb. By contrast there was forthright condemnation of Donald Trump’s immigration stance. “Who am I to judge?” did not seem to apply to this Republican president.

In fairness this question was his response to a press query years ago about gay priests. “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” said Pope Francis. His reign was marked by a deep desire for mercy. A close examination of his remarks in that press interview actually reflected Church teaching, but it was used against him by critics who claimed he was more in line with modern culture than church teaching.

Remarkable

Pope Francis’ pontificate began in March 2013 like a good Milonga: passionate, with lots of energy. His approach was refreshingly down to Earth. He did not want to move into the 16th-century Apostolic Palace, and instead of fancy new paper slippers, he preferred his black shoes, mended by the cobbler. He even opened his door to three homeless men and a dog named Marley (after Bob Marley).

“I am a sinner,” he memorably declared in an early interview, aligning himself with the rest of flawed humanity. It was perhaps also a prophetic reminder that Francis was no different from the first pope, Peter, who was chided by the Lord for engaging in ‘human thinking’.

Without a doubt, Pope Francis had a remarkable start. While his predecessor, Benedict, struggled to shake off a very unfair description as “God’s Rottweiler”, Francis was largely embraced by the media. The American magazine Vanity Fair described him as “The People’s Pontiff”. There was real hope that the church, which had fallen into disrepair through scandal, may be rebuilt by this modern Francis who came from the margins.

‘Francis,’ he said, ‘told us from the start that he was a sinner. And that means he invited us to pray for his conversion’”

Naturally there were mis-steps along the way, and some struggled to comprehend the choreography of this Milonga-loving Latino. And, Pope Francis suffered his own passion at times due to “verbal rebellion”. The loudest and harshest critics came from within the church. some powerful and tolerated. But Bishop Strickland in Texas, was eventually removed when he went too far on Francis’ legitimacy. The Pope decided to restrict the Latin Tridentine Mass. There was logic in this, even for a Pope who likes to be inclusive, as the order of mass post-Vatican II is meant to be universal.

Still, there is a sense among critics that Francis did not apply the rules consistently, particularly to those bishops out of line with Church teaching on sexual morality. And he seemed to indulge and elevate his fellow Jesuit, the rather slippery Fr James Martin, who arguably has sown confusion when it comes to celibacy and same sex attraction.

Then there was the debacle over non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples in December 2023, so soon after the Synod meeting in Rome. The Pope’s Milonga moved into a lot of back-tracking. Ultimately it was declared that these blessings had to be “spontaneous”.

The Pope was clearly smarting from the row when he declared soon after, on the Feast of Epiphany 2024, that God was not found in “some elegant religious theory”. The Pope instead pointed to the journey of the Magi who found a real child and spoke of the importance of “encountering and touching the flesh of our brothers and sisters”.

When the ‘Francis question’ came up over a meal among fellow Catholics soon after, there were questions. Was he simply too liberal, too bent on reforming things he had no business changing, and too quick to water down the wine? One at the table made this observation. “Francis,” he said, “told us from the start that he was a sinner. And that means he invited us to pray for his conversion. That’s what we should do.”

Treasured

In fairness to Pope Francis, his dance card was well and truly marked by divisions when he came to lead us. Perhaps he felt the best way to resolve issues was a good argument followed by a loving embrace. His modus operandi was involving the laity and the clergy in an unprecedented ‘Synod on Synodality’. I recall one prominent participant telling me privately that Pope Francis’ aim was perhaps too ambitious. “Settling the difficult issues is too much for one Pope or indeed a synod. We need something along the lines of the Council of Trent.”

A good Milonga moves quickly, but the church must always wait for the Holy Spirit. In the meantime, it is good to ponder the good that Francis did. His first and last encyclicals are to be treasured and lived: The Joy of the Gospel and Dilexit nos which encourages devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Indeed, Pope Francis urges a troubled world to counter indifference, greed and war by embracing Christ’s infinite love.

We bid adieu to Francis in the year of hope, a hope that does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who like a good Milonga, can move swiftly – in unity, joy and freedom of movement.