In Praise of Touch and Contact. Theological Reflections on the Language of Pope Francis

Abstract

This article reviews the frequency and quality of the sensorial images which Pope Francis uses, and reflects on the incidence of this fact in his theology and his pastoral thought, during these few months of his magisterium. The present text suggests that this way of speaking reflects some elements speci- fic to the ignatian spirituality, especially the “Application of the senses”, one of the types of prayer within the Spiritual Exercises. This indicates a theology shaped by the mystery of Encarnation, in which God reveals himself in the particular humanity of Jesus, and through it communicates us his life and salvation. At the same time, the sensorial language, as a way of expressing faith, and the evangelic message open themselves to theological and pastoral consequences. Among the former, the place of images in the theological work; among the latter, the importance of nearness as a form of evangelization, and encounter as its aim. From a cultural standpoint, this fact shows that personal relationships, beginning with the relationship with Jesus Christ, appear as a challenge, due to the multiplication of virtual and digital ways through which we communicate with each other, and which sometimes tend to substitute the personal “face to face” contact.