HABEMUS PAPAM! (We have a Pope!)

The new Catholic Pope is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a 76-year old archbishop from Buenos-Aires who chose the name Francis for himself. Pope Francis is the first pontiff from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope and the first pope who decided to meet with journalists. The new pontiff is distinguished by his modesty, conservatism and closeness to the people. Until recently he lived in a simple flat, rather than in luxury apartments. He preferred to go shopping and cook on his own.

We decided to meet Vladimir Fekete, the representative of the Roman Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, to discuss what the world should expect from the election of the new Pope. 

-Azerbaijani press and social networking sites reported that the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church visited Azerbaijan as part of a Vatican delegation in 2007…

-I would certainly be very pleased to know that the current Pope of Rome has visited Azerbaijan. However, as far as I know, as the head of the Latin American Church and Archbishop of Buenos Aires has never been to Azerbaijan. Apparently, the local press mistook him for another person - Cardinal Bertone who visited Baku in 2007. Cardinal Bertone is the head of a Vatican agency in charge of relations with foreign countries and is the most important cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church after the Pope. He visited Baku to open a Catholic church here. So, Pope Francis has never been to Azerbaijan. 

- How would you describe the current head of the Catholic Church?

- On the basis of the information I have, Pope Francis is a theologian as well as a pastor. As a Jesuit he received an excellent education. As a bishop and cardinal of Buenos Aires he always tried to be close to ordinary people. His high position did not estrange him from ordinary people. He wanted ordinary people to feel support from the church. I think this is a very useful trait for a pope. 

- Do you think that interreligious dialogue will continue under the new Pope?   

- I can say with certainly that the current Pope will continue the interreligious dialogue. Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI paid particular attention to interreligious dialogue. This path is especially important today when the world is beset by interethnic and interreligious conflicts. If religion is indeed of a divine nature, it should help people unite and strengthen their relations. If it is invented or misperceived, it will divide people. 

-Under the previous Pope, Benedict XVI, the Catholic Church had various unfavourable incidents. The media disseminated scandalous details. Is it possible that the new Pope will start reforming the Catholic Church?

- The Pope has the powers to analyze the situation and to carry out a reform for improving the centre of Catholic life. At this point it is difficult to say whether or not he will decide to carry out reform or whether he will set other priorities. 

- Judging from various statements by Benedict XVI, he wanted to see Europe as a community of Christian countries. In particular, he opposed Turkey's entry to the EU. Does the fact that a non-European has become the new Pope mean that the Holy See has decided to correct the current policy?

-The Conclave began to say that for a long period of time popes are elected only from Europe or from among the Vatican officials at a time when the majority of Catholics live in Latin America and Africa, not in Europe. The election of a Pope from South America is a gesture of respect and encouragement to Catholics from other regions of the world. On the other hand, Europe, to a certain extent, has become an old world. The election of a person from a different corner of the world will bring a new, fresh air to the development of this old world.  

- The relations between the Vatican and Azerbaijan are developing in a sufficiently positive way. In particular, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation is implementing a project for the restoration of manuscripts in the apostle library of the Vatican. How do you envision these relations under the new Pope?

- If a country wants to have positive relations with the Vatican, these relations will inevitably develop in a positive way. If Azerbaijan intends to pursue this policy, Pope Francis will be delighted to continue the process and the current good relations will be further strengthened. 

- What is the current situation in the Baku Catholic community and what is the community's expectations regarding the election of the new Pope?

- The election of the new Pope does not have any direct special impact on the everyday life of the Azerbaijani community of Catholics. We prayed so that the Lord could give us a leader who would head our Church as a moral authority and a divine person, so that he shows how a man should lead a righteous and worthy life; find the true answers to the major questions in people's lives. I think Pope Francis will be able to do so for the benefit of our community and the whole of humankind. 

The Baku Catholic community is gradually developing. An increasingly large number of foreigners are joining us now.