Franciscans over the moon about news of Pope’s visit to Assisi

   

The 2 May Audience with Pope Francis, Fr. Tasca, Fr., Gambetti and Fr. fortunato

Vatican Insider interviews Fr. Mauro Gambetti, guardian of the Sacred Convent of Assisi who explains how the community found out about the news

Domenico Agasso Jr. Rome








The news about the Pope’s visit to Assisi next October was received with joy, jubilation and a long round of applause from the entire community of friars from the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, followed by a great deal of bell-ringing,” said Fr. Enzo Fortunato, director of the Sacred Convent press Office and of Rivista San Francesco Patrono d’Italia (Saint Francis Patron Saint of Italy) magazine.
 
Fr. Fortunato went on to say: “Our website was besieged with visitors the moment the news about the Pope’s visit came out. Hundreds of prayers were sent by users who connected to the webcam that was pointed at St. Francis’ tomb.” This happened three weeks after the meeting between Pope Francis, the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, Fr. Marco Tasca, the Guardian of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Fr. Mauro Gambetti” and Fr. Fortunato himself.

So Pope Francis will be in Assisi on the Feast of St. Francis… 
“We have all been on tenterhooks. I’ll let you in on a private joke I wanted to share with the Pope but never got round to telling him: when we met Francis last 2 May I wanted to say to him: “When you decide to come don’t bother warning us, just call the night before!” As luck would have it, he’s now coming so I don’t need to tell him this.

What has the mood in Assisi been since 13 March when for the first time, a newly elected Pope chose the name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi?
“Francis brought an air of change with him. People’s eagerness to seek contact with God through spirituality is palpable, especially among those who approach us. Those who come to Assisi are often not sure who this God is, but Francis gives them a very clear picture of the face of Jesus Christ, he is a reflection of Jesus Christ.” There’s often a religious afflatus in the heart of each one of us that may not be clearly defined yet: I see a renewed eagerness in people to begin searching again. I think this is something new and Francis has started it by naming himself Francis.”

Which of St. Francis of Assisi’s traits can you see reflected in the current Pope?
“I really like the sense of freedom the Pope exudes through his gestures, attitude and way of being. His sense of freedom goes hand in hand with his simplicity. I think it’s one of the traits that was characteristic of St. Francis’ life and now Pope Francis’ life.”

Do you think the Church and above all its leadership are in need of reform? Will Francis manage to make any changes to the Roman Curia? What are your hopes in relation to this?
“The hope is that Francis, with his direct and simple way of relating to people, will manage to instil simplicity in the Church, so that the relationship that people and the world have with the Church will pass through direct, transparent and simple relational channels. Maybe we have become too obsessed with structure and formality. By this I do not mean we have become hypocrites but that we have taken on too much form, so that instead of drawing people close to us, they feel they should stand back a bit.”

Have more people been coming to Assisi since Bergoglio was elected Pope? 
“What with Easter as well, it is not just the number of visitors that has increased but also the spiritual and media interest in the city.”
 
What was your impression of Pope Francis when you met him in person last 2 May?
“He immediately struck me as a genuine man. The smile Francis has in his eyes speaks volumes of this man’s depth but also of his simplicity and approachability.”