Jorge Mario Bergoglio was much more than Francisco. It was icon, reference, talisman. A man turned into the maximum representative of the Catholic Church, who never forgot the earthly connection. It generated around him an aura of organic admiration that became a pressing desire by celebrities around the world of knowing him. In these 12 years of pontificate, he received endless personalities and anonymous, and none left indifferently. They estimate that some 2,000 people of world relevance shared a “you to you” with him. Politicians, international artists, actors, singers … even agnostics. Those who move away from the existence of a God felt the imperative need to meet him, speak and listen to him.
Perhaps, one of the most indicated cases in national code was that of The Vice President of the Government, Yolanda Díaz, who said that “I have enormous respect and admiration, I am in permanent connection, I read everything it produces and what she writes”. With him he maintained a private audience in the Library of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, where both coincided in their concern for the ravages that are causing the Wars of Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.
They also talked about issues that worried both, such as the preservation of the environment and the protection of human rights. Even (she, who declares himself not a believer) took several rosaries to bless them. In fact, eight of the current government ministers also held a private meeting with Francisco.
Beyond this homeland anecdote, the truth is that the admiration that Francisco raised during his papacy transcended all the borders. Many celebrities were lucky enough to be received at a private audience, while others, such as Antonio Banderas, Lucía and Miguel BoséThey waited hours in the Plaza de San Pedro until their turn came to shake the pontiff’s hand and exchange a few words with him. None of them revealed the content of their conversation, but all published messages on their social networks and, for example, Bosé confessed: “A very special day, knowing Pope Francis in the Vatican.”
Falcó’s anecdote
Tamara Falcó also had its moment, although, as usual, she was not exempt from controversy. Isabel Preysler and Carlos Falcó, known for her publicized religious fervor, went to the Vatican for such anxious encounter.
However, he said, he did not come completely as he wanted, since he received a reprimand (apparently deserved) from Francisco. As the Marquesa de Griñón detailed in the programming “El Hormiguero”, where she works as a Tertullian, she attended the encounter with the Pope wearing a very special gift: a figure of the Virgin of Joy. Upon arrival, Falcó knelt before him, which was not well received by Bergoglio. «He got angry with me. Suddenly, I didn’t know what was happening, but I was putting a bad face. What he did not want was for the Virgin to kneel before him. I found it very humble on his part. Then I blessed her and I was stunned. See the angry pope impresses. I didn’t understand anything. Those thousandths of second are very important when you are with the Pope. We couldn’t talk anything because I stayed in “ Shock ”, ”said the aristocrat.
A more emotional encounter where Francisco was very happy was the one held by Leonardo DiCaprio in 2016. The good harmony between them was evident from the first moment. The Hollywood actor gave him a book with reproductions of works by the painter of the 15th century Jheronimus Bosch, “El Bosco”, but not before saying in Spanish: “His holiness, thanks for granting me this private encounter.”
The actor did not gain empty, since the Pope gave him a leather copy of his encyclical laudato if ‘, in which the pontiff called on governments to stop climate change and the destruction of the environment.
He also had the opportunity to meet Francisco Angelina Jolie, who, although he defines himself as non -believer, declared himself “great admirer” of Francisco and his message. The same confessed Richard Gere and Eva Longoria after their encounter with the Pope. Others, such as singer Miguel Poveda, the Nieves Álvarez model, the young ecologist Greta Thunberg or the footballer Lionel Messi, They had a few minutes with him. Messi, after his “pretty but short” audience, confessed his admiration. The anecdote came some time later, during an interview that the Pope granted to Jordi Évole, when the journalist asked him about the “sacrilege” of calling the “ball god” to the Argentine footballer. “In theory, it is a sacrilege to say that Messi is God, it cannot be said, but I don’t believe it,” Francisco replied with a smile.
But what did Francisco have to unleash this interest in all social spheres? «Since the beginning of his pontificate, 12 years ago, Pope Francis made significant advances regarding the reputation of Catholicism worldwide. He knew how to adapt to the current reality, accepting the mistakes made. In addition, he took the church from the intellectual circles where Benedict XVI had placed it, which moved the Catholic people of the Church away. Francisco knew how to understand this and managed to place the church where he really corresponds, giving use to his faithful. This generated that Francisco was seen as an authentic and innovative leader, which made his pontificate something attractive to many, ”explains Moisés Ruiz, an expert in leadership and communication at the European University.
Charisma and revolution
While John Paul II was an expansionist leader who introduced marketing in the Vatican, Francisco knew how to adapt to the new realities. «He knew how to read the world in which he lives and knows the place that the Church occupies in it. He stood out for his humility, wisdom and, above all, for his proximity to reality. Francisco’s charismatic figure knew how to connect with the people who asked for an audience or who wanted to be close to him. The faithful saw him as a leader who can help them, and that is key in a spiritual leader: recognize those who come to his call. He had a friendly charism that makes people feel good by his side, ”this reputation expert adds.
Despite maintaining the halo of the religious figure worthy of his position, Francisco always transmitted «that under that dress there was a human being, a person who identified with others. It was not difficult to descend to the levels of his faithful; On the contrary, it is part of them, of their world», Says Ruiz.
And the most comforting thing is that those who met him were excited after the appointment. Several professionals of leadership analysis agree that “Francisco knew that he is making history, because he wanted to enlarge his place and humanize him.”
«It was an iconic figure, not only for being a potato, but for the humility with which it grew and for the utility he has contributed to the Church. His pontificate leaves a new way of understanding the papacy, and the new conclave must take it into account, ”the European University professor.
Moreover, leave a message to his successor: «Or there may be a turn to the past, but a continuity. Francisco has left a mark that must be amplified by the new Pope. A charismatic leadership that everyone wanted to get infected. That was his great success, Ruiz sentence.