Sede Vacante: What do we make of an empty chair?

Image: Jesuit Institute South Africa

Source: Jesuit Institute South Africa

Grant Tungay SJ

As the Church entered a period of sede vacante, or the vacant seat of Peter, we felt the weight of the moment. Sometimes we can take the Pope for granted. Pope Francis did so much for us, and he meant so much to us.

The period "between popes" allows us to reflect on what we will miss the most. It also provides us with an opportunity to consider our next pope and what we would hope to see in his papacy.

One of the things that I valued most about Pope Francis was how he saw his role as Pope. There are many titles that the Pope can have. How a pope identifies himself emphasises the aspects of his ministry that he finds important. The title Pope Francis used for himself, which I found very meaningful, was Servus Servorum Dei, or "Servant of the Servants of God."

Pope Francis always saw himself as being at the service of the Church. For him, the Pope was someone who accompanied others on their journey to the Lord. He certainly expressed this well in his ministry. He consistently walked with us, helping us along our way. The main question for him as Pope was: how can I serve the people of God in a way that enhances their Christian life and helps them encounter Jesus?

What I found very powerful is how he highlighted that this way of serving the people of God should be the way of all ministers of the Gospel. Famously, in his encyclical of 2013, Evangelii Gaudium, he encouraged pastors to have the "smell of the sheep." He called pastors to walk with people, as they journeyed to the Father. In this way, he was a servant of the servants of God. He was a shepherd who strove to be close to his flock, encouraging all shepherds to do likewise.

As we look forward to a time with a new shepherd of the Church, what do we hope to see? No doubt, the new pope will bring his unique gifts to the Church. He may choose to highlight different aspects of his ministry as pope. Whatever the emphasis may be, during this time when we are facing significant challenges as a global community, a servant leader would be a great source of consolation. May the Holy Spirit guide him to walk with us, accompanying us as we confront the challenges we face as Christians. Let us pray that as he utilises his gifts in the service of the Church, and inspire us to be servants of one another.

As we wait with the world we continue to ask the Holy Spirit to descend on the Sistine Chapel and the Cardinals so that they may listen to the Holy Spirit's leading in electing the new Pope.

Follow The Jesuit Institute on Twitter @JesuitInstitute