While Roman Catholics across the Chicago area sang hymns and offered prayers surrounding the papal election, Cardinal Francis George prepared Sunday to spend his first night in seclusion with the other 114 members of the conclave in Vatican City before facing the most crucial decision a cardinal has to make.
George will be the first Chicago native to vote in a papal election, which he has called “an awesome and challenging responsibility in which … I never imagined that I would participate.”
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At the same time acknowledging the overwhelming onus and privilege of helping pick the next pope, George has also tried to keep promises and maintain a connection to his Chicago flock. In return, his flock has reached out to him with e-mails and letters.
Departing Pontifical North American College in a downpour Sunday, George embraced some of those who traveled with him to Rome, silently shook hands with reporters, hopped in the back seat of a car and headed for the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the Vatican hotel that will house the cardinals during the conclave.
“With him goes a sense of gravitas that is immeasurable and the personal responsibility to his own soul to do the best he can possibly do,” said Colleen Dolan, the Chicago archdiocese’s director of communications, who has accompanied George for most of the time he has been in Rome. “Whatever process goes on in the conclave, we’ll never know. But I know we can be proud. I think Chicago should be proud.”
Dolan said the cardinal’s desire to reach out to parishioners back home demonstrates one of his many strengths. Last week, the cardinal ran late to General Congregation meetings and skipped memorial masses to celebrate mass and attend a banquet with pilgrims from the Chicago-based Catholic Extension Society, commitments he had made before the pope’s death.
And in a letter composed last week to young Catholics in the Chicago archdiocese, he shared observations and reflections from Rome, while also asking for their support and prayers.
“As I and the other Cardinals enter into conclave, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are still connected with the whole Church through prayer,” George wrote. “While I will have no contact with the outside world from the time the conclave begins until after the new Pope is announced to the world, I will never be beyond the power and the support of your prayers. Indeed I am counting on them, and I am deeply grateful to know that you will be praying each day for me, for my brother Cardinals, and for the whole Church.”
Chicago-area parishioners have shared what they can of the weight resting on George’s shoulders. During Sunday masses, parishioners prayed that the voting cardinals’ own prejudices would not get in the way of God’s will.
And at a special prayer vigil Sunday night in Holy Name Cathedral, Rev. Dan Mayall led a gathering of nearly 100 people, asking for divine guidance for those participating in the conclave.
“For the College of Cardinals, that they be open to the heart and mind of the guidance to the Holy Spirit, we pray to the Lord,” one parishioner said in the pulpit.
Deacon Mike McCloskey, who met with visitors as they entered the cathedral, said he believes George’s decision will bring “a sound, moral man” to the head of the Catholic Church.
“It should be someone who brings rich nations with the poor nations and sensitive to all religions,” he said. “Someone who understands the doctrines of our church, who espouses and enforces them. Someone who believes in social justice.”
Suzanne Lewis of Chicago brought 15 students from her Sunday school class to the prayer vigil.
“It’s a big responsibility on his shoulders, and he asked for our support,” Lewis said. “And so here we are.”
Her daughter Simone, 10, said she would like George to help select a pope who will continue to work with the youth of the world.
“I think it should be someone who’s willing to listen to what others have to say and who’s open to new ideas,” Simone said.
Letters and e-mails have come in throughout the week assuring George that he is included in prayers. Calls have flooded Catholic talk-radio stations reminding and urging listeners to pray for Chicago’s own.
“I think people realize the enormity of what’s going to happen,” said Mary FioRito, executive assistant to the cardinal, who has been screening calls and letters to the archbishop. “They know what the cardinal is trying to work through this week.”
She said she has limited the amount of day-to-day minutiae she forwards to the cardinal to maximize his time for prayer and reflection.
“This is not a week to be bothered,” FioRito said. “People do understand emotionally and spiritually what it must be like. … You have to work on your spiritual life more than anything else.”
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