Pope Francis has said that despite opposition within the Church to some of his reforms, he is pursuing changes “without looking over my shoulder”.
Speaking during an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, the Pope admitted there was a faction within the Church who “say no to everything”, but despite their resistance, he would “not cut off heads”, adding, “I reject conflict”.
The Pope said he wants a Church “that is open, understanding, which accompanies wounded families”, and he will not be deterred in his execution of this vision.
During the interview, with Argentinian political journalist Joaquín Morales Solá, Francis also spoke of his relationship with Pope Emeritus Benedict whom he said displayed unparalleled generosity.
“His resignation, which exposed all the problems of the Church, had nothing to do with personal matters,” he said. “It was an act of governance, his last act of governance.”
He also allayed fears that the retired Pope was in poor health. He said that despite some mobility issues, “his mind and memory are intact, perfect”.
Much of the interview considered Argentinian issues, and the Pope denied any problems with the new president. "I have no problem with President Macri…He seems to me a good family person, a noble person.”
Questions were raised about the relationship after Francis rejected a donation from Macri towards his education foundation, Scholas Occurrentes. Speaking to The Tablet, Juan Grabois, an Argentinian social activist who is close to the Pope, said the gift “should not have been made” given the hardships facing people in the country and likened it to an act of “simony” - the act of buying ecclesiastical privileges.
In the interview the Pope admitted he had had a dispute with Macri once when he was mayor of Buenos Aires, but said “one time over a long period is a very low average”.
Pope Francis also said that no one speaks for him in Argentina, emphasising “the Vatican Press Office is the only spokesman for the Pope”.
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