In an unpublished interview conducted in 2021 at the Santa Marta Casa, Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, reflected on his role as the successor of St. Peter, highlighting his deep relationship of trust and accompaniment to the Lord.
“I feel that The Lord accompanies that he is the one who chooses, it is he who began this story. In my case, with me he started it, he invited me, he accompanied me. And despite my infidelities, that I am a sinner like Pedro, he does not abandon me. Then I feel careful for him, ”he confessed at a time of the interview with Noel Díaz, founder of the Lay Association“ El Sower, New Evangelization ”(ESNE).
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The Pope shared his thoughts while referring to a passage from the Gospel in which Jesus calls Simon Pedro in the middle of the people, without separating him from the crowd. According to the Pope, this gesture of Jesus has a deep meaning for priests:
“Jesus always calls his priests from the town, in the middle of the people. If Peter had forgotten his origin, he would have betrayed Jesus’s plan. He would have founded an elite. The pastor has to be with the sheep. For that he is a pastor.”
Throughout the interview, the Pontiff also reflected on the process of transformation of Peter, who, seeing the miracle of Jesus, kneel before him recognizing his human limits and sin.
This act of humility, for Francisco, is essential for any spiritual leader: “Pedro, when he doubts, when he has no strength, he will remember this, of the miracle, that the Lord is able to change things. He recognizes that he is limited, who is a sinner: ‘Get about me, Lord, that I am a sinner.”
For the pontiff, this transformation process is not only a personal path of faith, but a reminder for all those who are called to lead: “When Jesus anorates him, he is one because he is a pastor. I do not anorate him to ascend him, so that he is head of an office. He anoints him to be a pastor,” he explained.
The humility of Peter and his confession of faith
At another time in the conversation, the Pope also addressed Peter’s confession in the Gospel, when he declares Jesus as the Messiah. “This was played whole. Telling someone: ‘No, you are neither Fulano nor Mengano, you are God, the Son of God.’ Today, who said it would be considered crazy. Peter played whole, and Jesus confirms it, saying: ‘On this stone I will build my church.”
On the same subject, the Pope highlighted the importance of divine revelation in Peter’s confession: “Jesus explains why he had the courage to play: ‘Because what you said did not reveal any science, but the Father through his spirit.’ The confession of Peter is not only a personal statement, but a revelation of the Father.”
The relevance of taking the cross and following Christ
Despite Peter’s faith and courage, the Pope remembered how Jesus corrected the apostle when he tried to dissuade him from his way to the cross: “He says: ‘take yourself from me, Satan.’
The Pope also reflected on the dangers of worldly power in the Church: “Jesus shows us that the pastor should not depart from the path of the cross. Some, throughout history, have preferred paths of power, of wealth, influence. But Jesus clearly tells us that the road is another: ‘My path is the cross’. This is the testimony of the Church.”
The Pope expressed his confidence in the teaching of Jesus, remembering that when he departs from the path of the Lord, one can fall into error. “When we separate ourselves from the Word of Jesus, we can follow paths that are not His. And Jesus tells us: ‘That is not my path, it is the path of Satan.”
The Pope also reflected on the challenges he faced in his mission: “My confidence is in the word of Jesus, which gives me firmness when he chooses me. I am slapped when I’m wrong.”
Given the external difficulties and the crises within the Church itself, Francisco reaffirmed his hope in the promise of Christ: “The Word of God assures us that the forces of evil will not prevail. Jesus tells us that, even if attacks and challenges come, the strength of evil will not prevail. That is our hope.”
Diego López Marina
I was born in 1991. I have a degree in Communication Sciences. Since 2015 I work as a digital journalist. I started my career in the newspaper El Comercio in Peru. In 2016, I began as editor in ACI Press and I perform as a web editor since 2018. From 2024, I write the Newsletter for Social Media. I specialize in Catholic news focused on the defense of life and family, international politics, technology, popular culture and the Vatican.