A sign of virtual reality

Andrea Tornelli

The unexpected participation of Pope Francis in the last moments of the jubilee liturgical celebration for patients and the world of health represents a message full of meaning. Even at the time of virtual reality, which we think we can participate in everything behind the computer screen, being physically important. Personally, make an effort to travel, to leave, to participate; The effort to walk, approach others, sweating, and exposing the weather to sunlight, logically finding themselves living with the eyes of those around us, to experience the company of others, to be part of the city of Hajj. With not announcing his gesture, Khalifa Peter teaches us that nothing can be replaced with a physical presence, and my presence there. Therefore, the Pope’s exit in Plaza de San Pedro is in itself a more important message than any word: despite its weak voice, despite the oxygen channel, he wanted to be there.

There is a second meaning: Francisco chose his first departure after the end of the hospital at Gemelli, a jubilee celebration that he feels particularly close: the person allocated to patients, for those who already suffer from those who suffer from those who suffer. Although the worst has already happened, the Pope is a recovery still shows signs of disease. Fragile between fragile, he did not resign to live the “jubilee”, recognizes a church and crosses the sacred door as thousands of people do every day. This door, which opened long as a potato on Christmas Eve, was crossed yesterday as a simple pilgrim still suffering from the consequences of pneumonia.

Finally, the sudden departure tells us on Sunday morning about the priest’s relationship with his herd, from the bishop with his people. Despite his recovery, despite the doctors’ warnings, Francisco did not even resign to meet people until they realize the risks he could behave in their health. This tells us that although conditions sometimes impose a virtual confrontation due to hospitalization, the siege on the epidemic or the impossibility of traveling, facing the face is indispensable. Because, as it was said a little more than a year ago, “Love needs to be reduced, love needs existence, confrontation, and love needs a time and space of donors: it cannot be reduced to beautiful words, to pictures on the screen …”. This also deserves the love of the Pope for the sake of God, who was always “speaking” with gestures and tenderness.