Fr Gerard emphasised that each pope brings with him a unique character, history, and calling shaped by his own experiences.
May 4th was the 9th day of mourning of the late Pope Francis.At the St.John Cathedral Kuala Lumpur it was the last day to sign the condolence book for Pope Francis.After Mass Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau has the opportunity to sign that condolence book.
KUALA LUMPUR – As the world prepares to welcome a new pope following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, some Catholics may be hoping for continuity.
But Reverend Fr Gerard Theraviam, parish priest at St John’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur, says it would be unwise – and unrealistic – to expect the next pontiff to be a clone of the man who led the Church for more than a decade.
Speaking to Scoop ahead of the conclave at the Vatican this Wednesday (May 7), Gerard emphasised that each pope brings with him a unique character, history, and calling shaped by his own experiences.
“If you ask me whether the new pope will continue in the line of Francis, honestly, I don’t know,” he said.
“We pray the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinals, but the next pope is going to come with his individuality. Nobody wants to be a clone of the previous person.”
While Pope Francis was beloved by many around the world for his humility, social concern and inclusive tone, Gerard noted that he was not universally popular – especially within conservative circles of the Church.
“People felt he was too soft on certain issues,” he said.
“He wasn’t really popular with very traditionalist people who thought he wasn’t strong enough on doctrine or discipline. But the world loved what they saw.”
Gerard cautioned against assuming that the cardinals – many of whom were appointed by Francis himself – will necessarily elect someone who mirrors his leadership style.
“To say that because so many were appointed by him, the next pope will be just like him… the Holy Spirit could give us a lot of surprises. We do not know.”
He pointed out that history shows just how different popes can be from one another. Pope John Paul II, for instance, was admired for his role in supporting the fall of communism and his deep connection with young people.
His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, was a doctrinal enforcer but lacked the same charisma.
Francis, in turn, brought a pastoral focus and a readiness to speak out on difficult topics – from his vocal condemnation of the war in Gaza to his compassionate tone towards the LGBTQ community.
“Francis used to call the parish priest of Gaza almost every day,” Gerard shared.
“He condemned violence at every level, without picking sides. But will the next pope champion the same causes? We don’t know. He might come with another focus close to his heart.”
Gerard said the task before the cardinals is not to find a successor who follows a template, but to discern who is right for the times.
“One of the cardinals said, ‘We’re not looking for a successor to Pope Francis but rather the right pope for this moment.’ That’s key,” he said.
“Even the pope himself may not know what direction he’s being led in until he begins.”
According to him, the role of the pope is not one of pre-set agendas, but of listening – to God, to the people, and to the needs of the world.
“God is not going to give the new pope a phone call with a to-do list,” he said.
“He’ll have to respond to the real situations in front of him. That’s what we’re all called to do – not react, but respond with wisdom and care.”
The conclave begins May 7 at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, and the world will wait with anticipation. But as Gerard reminded, while the next pope may or may not walk in the footsteps of Francis, he will carry the same duty: to shepherd the Church faithfully through the challenges and hopes of the times.
Before taking up his post at St John’s Cathedral, Gerard had served as the rector of College General in Penang for over a decade, and was also the former parish priest of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam.
St John’s Cathedral, located on Jalan Bukit Nanas is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and the seat of its Archbishop Most Rev Julian Leow.
Over the past two weeks, Gerard has been attending to dignitaries and visitors at the cathedral, who have come to pay their respects and sign the official condolence book in honour of Pope Francis. –scoop.com
