Who is the most afraid?
Undoubtedly, the president of Brazil is. She was booed at the opening of the Confederations Cup, then cancelled her appearance at the event's closing. Even though the next week's reception to Pope Francis in Rio is set to be akin to a private occasion, the expected presence of Dilma must be seen as a main factor attracting protesters to the area around the palace.
Such newspapers avoid addressing the president as the target of the protesters's voice, what, nonetheless, cannot make matters any better. A survey published today shows that Dilma's popularity went futher down to 31%. Naturally, the idea of changes to the pope's agenda now is not expected to be taken smoothly by the Vatican nor the CNBB, the Brazilian Bishops's Congregation; the diocese of Rio de Janeiro is the most directly involved organizing entity, but has been silent after optimistic declarations weeks ago. Is the pope at high risk?
Definitely, he is. We have already made our views on this public here: the risk is very high, and we now stress that by saying the visit is a crazy idea. These factors do not help thinking any different:
a) it has been informed that the pope will not use an armoured vehicle;
b) big evangelical churches are ready to protest over the astronomic costs of the event; they are said to have planned to gather over one million on the streets;
c) the city of Rio de Janeiro is still a very dangerous place at any occasion, for anyone; Guaratiba, on the far west of the city, as one of the spots for a Mass sounds like a suicidal risk, and
d) the biggest Catholic country has hosted Rio+20 fairly recently, but that does not mean it can handle such a challenge as the visit of a pope that, on top, has been causing serious trouble for the Curia, including the Vatican Bank. Pope John Paul I (not the second, then) was poisoned for having taken measures against corruption. Since another poisoning would strike the eye too much, killing the pope during a visit to a dangerous place that is also under convulsion would be considered a not-to-be-missed opportunity for some also falling into the category of those who, for centuries and centuries, have acted against heads of the Catholic Church and gone away with it.
I am absolutely inclined to believe that the schedule of the World Youth Day will not the fulfilled. The Brazilian entities involved will not make that public at this moment, since crowds have invested so much and many have already traveled to the country. Disappointment during an ongoing Mass may be taken by authorities - religious and civil alike - as much easier to control than the rage lately filling the streets of dozens of major Brazilian cities.
Pope Francis is wise and far sighted. He has asked for prayers in favor of the participants of the event. He may not be concerned about his own life; but he must be worried about the immensity of the crowds he is going to attract - in the name of peace - amid both an in-house (Vatican) war against corruption being finally brought to light and a turbulent revolution being ridiculously pushed under the carpet as a mere 'diffuse sentiment'.
I have chosen to pray for the brave Argentinian leader, who takes love and friendship beyond belief backgrounds and even beyond the absence of any belief.
God be with you - in Rio and forever -, dear Francis!
Mariangela Pedro
(who refuses any tags, by the way)
