Conclave of 2013, suffering and reflections … An intimate interview with Pope Francis broadcast after his death

At a time when the faithful of the whole world realize that the voice of Pope Francis has killed himself, this posthumous interview – broadcast with his agreement – on Argentinian television has a particular resonance. On the evening of April 22, viewers discovered an intimate testimony of the Sovereign Pontiff Argentin, delivered in 2019 to Nelson Castro, famous presenter of the Eltrece channel.

Back to the 2013 conclave

In a first extract, the bishop of Rome returns to the 2013 conclave after which he was appointed Pope. For him, this moment, which was so pivotal in his life, was not lived with anxiety, but rather peacefully. The day before the decisive day, Jorge Bergoglio did not expect to succeed Benoît XVI at all. “The first election is widely dispersed. So I slept like a baby, ”he revealed. But the last ballot turns in his favor. “The count continued and (the cardinal) Humms approached me, kissed me and said to me:” Do not forget the poor. ” And I stayed there, thinking: poor, poor … Saint Francis! And then this man came to me, ”said Pope Francis.

Then, in another extract, the journalist approaches with the Argentinian pontiff the question of sleep. Was Pope Francis harassment at night? Did he have nightmares? You have to believe that he was sleeping like a loir and dreamed of “beautiful things” or “memories”. “I go to bed around nine o’clock, I read until ten o’clock, I turn on the light at ten o’clock and I wake up at four o’clock,” he said. All, without having to use alarm.

Mental health: a rare confession

Then, the discussion deviated on a sensitive or even taboo subject today: that of mental health. And the Holy Father did not kick in touch. “For six months, when I was provincial (1973-1979), a very difficult period because of the dictatorship (…) There were things that I did not know how to manage. So I went to see a lady, a great woman, a psychiatrist, she helped me with explanations, advice (…). It helped me a lot, “he revealed.

Before adding: “I believe that each priest should know something about human psychology. Some sometimes know it by natural wisdom, because they are wise, but studying psychology today is necessary for pastoral care, “he concluded. “At the time, it helped me to clarify certain things, certain mechanisms, certain fears that came to me,” added the Holy Father.

Has he already felt depression or sadness? “Yes, I felt a lot of sadness. (…) Whether because of situations of human pain, the death of a father or a mother, they are deep sadness. “Or sadness or worries in the difficult and historical moments we had to go through,” he replied. From his rare confidences, we will remember the voice of a lucid, deeply human, fraternal man. A voice that death makes even closer.

* The health of the popes: medicine, conspiracies and faith, from Leon XIII to FrançoisPayot editions, 2023