‘This was the chatter that for the first time ever, a Filipino cardinal was being considered one of the ‘papabili’…’
JUST as many Filipinos were still reeling from the news that 70s icon and superstar Nora Aunor had passed away – on the heels of the passing of Pilita Corrales – a bigger jolt was waiting just around the corner.
Pope Francis, the Vatican announced, had died in the early hours of Monday morning. On Easter Sunday, he had appeared at the balcony of St. Peter’s to give the traditional Easter blessing, and then received the US Vice President as part of his day’s activities. He died, it was reported, from a stroke.
What was the world coming to? It was easy to feel. First, Pilita, dubbed as “Asian’s Queen of Songs.” Then Nora, the superstar and National Artist for Film and Arts. And then the Pope himself, who had appeared to be recovering quite well from a serious bout of pneumonia.
(That Hajji Alejandro – another music icon and 80s heartthrob – would die a few hours after the Pope’s death was announced was just too much.)
Immediately, there were two reactions to the Pope’s death: sadness among my liberal Catholic friends (and total silence from my younger brother who is a member of the Jesuit order in the United States), and relief among the more conservative elements of the Church who were deeply bothered by the reforms that Pope Francis had initiated in the institution most steeped in tradition.
The reactions posted on social media clearly showed which “wing” of the Catholic Church the individual was from.
But then there was a third reaction, in some parts unseemly due to its haste, but in some parts understandable due to the potential it represented. This was the chatter that for the first time ever, a Filipino cardinal was being considered one of the “papabili” – in effect just 2/3 votes of some 135 eligible cardinals shy of becoming the next Bishop of Rome. Imagine, all you need is about 85 votes and you’re the pope!
While there are more than 135 cardinals alive, only those below the age of 80 may vote. And of the 135 qualified, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis himself (three Filipinos included), 22 by the more conservative Pope Benedict XVI and five named by Saint Pope John Paul II.
Too bad we cannot dispatch former Comelec Commissioner Garcillano to help count votes at the Sistine Chapel.
But this is what gets me. So imagine that eventually a Filipino is chosen Pope. Let’s say his name is Luisito.
On one of his first days at work, his private phone rings. He picks it up and on the other end of the line is a very familiar female voice.
“Anak,” says the woman, “gusto dumalaw dyan sa Rome ang Tito Fred and Tita Ninang mo pero kailangan daw ng visa. Baka naman pwede mo gawan ng endorsement at guarantee?”
Another time she calls again, “Anak, sa Pasko ba may matutulugan kami ng papa mo at mga kapatid mo diyan sa apartment mo? Saksakan naman pala ng mahal ang mga hotel diyan sa Roma.”
For Easter, she asks, “Anak baka naman pwede kang mag-shout out sa balcony, mag-aabang mga ka-barangay natin. Alam mo naman kung gaano sila ka-proud sa iyo.”
But when her requests get turned down, she gives him a stern call: “Hoy Luisito, tandaan mo kahit Santo Papa ka na ngayon, ako pa rin ang nanay mo at wala ka sa mundong ito kung hindi dahil sa amin ng papa mo. At sabi sa Biblia, ‘obey your mother and father and your parents!’”
I’ve been chortling to myself just thinking of all the possibilities. But yes, in many ways, it will be nice to have a Filipino pope.
At least Papa P will have competition!
