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A Pope with a plan; Francis's first 100 days
Recent asides reveal a Jesuitical strategy, and hint at Vatican reform
Inthese first 100 days of Francis's papacy, there have been few big announcements, few visible changes to church teaching or practice, few Curial government heads rolling through St. Peter's square.
In short, the news from Rome has been sorta dull.
But that may be as should be. You can't revamp the world's largest, oldest and most diverse transnational organization in less time than it takes to plan your summer vacation.
In modern democracies we've become accustomed to the political notion that leaders have a narrow window of "good will" during which they can push a transformation agenda.
But, as with so much else, the Catholic Church has its own style, its own timetable.
During the conclave discussions before Francis's election, some cardinals talked openly about the pressing need for dramatic internal reform to the Vatican's Curial government, and the need for a powerful "manager pope."
And some recent off-the-cuff statements by Francis suggest that's what they got. Behind the scenes of blessings and baby kissing, a strategic and Jesuitical plan is already underway.
Since his selection on March 13, Francis has certainly set a new tone in the Vatican. Humility is the watchword — having replaced the rather sombre, yet vaguely ostentatious style (think ermine stoles and designer shoes) of Benedict XVI.
Francis has also yet to appoint a personal secretary (who traditionally acts as a powerful gatekeeper), and is therefore more accessible to outside influence. He mingles with (gasp!) average people after his daily masses, and he's gaining a reputation in Rome for being a bit "chatty."
Still, his parish priest-style messages of love and compassion have been largely ignored by non-Catholic media. Even though there was a little blip on the world's media radar when Francis said atheists — if they lead good lives — get to go to heaven.
Vatican City based headlines are scarce these days, which speaks to a larger problem facing the Catholic Church: the extent to which its moral messages (no matter who the messenger) are relevant to the lives of average people.
Still, there are many ways to be an effective Manager Pope, and Francis appears to be marshalling his forces for substantive internal change.
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