After the recent debacles with Holocaust-denying and pro-Katrina bishops and all communication at the Vatican seemingly imploding, people are starting to wonder: What exactly does Pope Benedict do all day?
British news source, Times Online, turned to Vatican insiders to get the skinny on the Pope’s daily routine. Here’s the gist:
1. Pope Benedict wakes up and dons his gold lined robes and red Prada shoes.
2. He goes to 7 am Mass in a private chapel.
3. After Mass, he eats breakfast alone. (by this point in the day, it should be noted, President Barack Obama would already have been briefed by about a billion people on situations ranging from homeland security to the economy.)
4. He meets a few visitors in the morning (you may have heard about his recent five minute meeting with the US Speaker of the House).
5. He eats lunch.
6. Then, the Pope goes to his study for the rest of the day to read and write.
All I can say is sign me up! Sounds like a pretty good gig.
On a more serious note, this routine signifies how Pope Benedict has separated himself from the world, even those working for him. And this might account for all of the recent mishaps. Even top Vatican officials are concerned. One stated, “People feel disoriented. It’s a feeling common to both traditionalists and reformers. Our impression is that there isn’t anyone at the wheel.”
While other world leaders, generally, surround themselves with advisors, consult experts and listen to the opinions of the public, the Pope is consulting theological works and making decisions blindly. We all knew that the Catholic church was not a democracy, but I guess we didn’t know how bad it had actually gotten.
Marco Politi, a leading Vatican analyst, stated in an interview with Times Online, “People feel that the Pope is governing in a very monarchical way. He fails to consult bishops and he has isolated himself by ignoring advice which could stop him making mistakes…The Pope believes he doesn’t need to take account of public opinion. He studies the files that are brought to him and decides very much on his own. The atmosphere around him is that he mustn’t be disturbed by criticism or visitors.”
For a head of state (as the Holy See insists on its status as a state in addition to its status as a religious body) these actions are not only atypical but destructive.
Perhaps the pope wants to be more a figurehead – less Barack and more Elizabeth. Then, we’d have to look at top Vatican officials as the root of this strain of bad decision making. And according to the folks in the know, Pope Benedict is unwilling to fire any of these folks – because that would be like going back on his decision. And he wouldn’t do that. After all, he likes that people think that he is infallible on all counts (a common misconception).
And, really, who wouldn’t?
