Pope Francis: Don’t Call Me Superman

Pope Francis has called the overwhelming hype around his papacy “offensive,” describing himself as a “normal person” like everybody else, even as he is celebrated worldwide for his forward-looking views on Church policy.

In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera (in Italian), the Holy See expressed his discomfort at the idolization surrounding his leadership of the church, noting that the description of the pope as a kind of superman or star was “offensive.” “The pope is a man who laughs, cries, sleeps calmly and has friends like everyone else. A normal person,” said Francis.

Francis also made significant reference to the debate about women’s roles in the Church, saying that women could have greater power in the church’s hierarchy. “Women must have a greater presence in the decision-making areas of the church,” he said. He said the Church “is feminine from its origins” and “the Virgin Mary was more important than any bishop or any apostle.”

The pope also addressed a question on institutional child abuse. “No-one else has done more” to root out and address pedophilia than the church, said Francis, suggesting the Vatican had been unfairly singled out for criticism. Francis also said the church was perhaps the only public institution to have acted with transparency and accountability on the issue. His strong words follow on from last month’s United Nation’s report condemning the Vatican’s handling of priests who have abused children.

Other issues Francis touched on include suggesting women could have a greater decision-making role in the church, addressing the church’s position on birth control and how globalization affects the poor. He also denied suggestions he shared Marxist views.