The death of Pope Francis was reflected in numerous articles and commentaries in the German-language press, with a focus primarily on Argentina.

German press on the Pope: "Heaven cannot wait"

3 hours ago

The death of Pope Francis was reflected in numerous articles and commentaries in the German-language press, with a focus primarily on Argentina.

https://p.dw.com/p/4tbC8

Pope Francis sitting in an armchair with a calm look

"Because heaven no longer wanted to wait for this man, the world now mourns him," says half of the Germans. (Archive image from 2014): Image: Stefano Spaziani/picture alliance

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The death of Pope Francis occupied the German-language media this week. In the TAZ newspaper, author Bernhard Pötter wrote this Friday, the 25th, under the headline "Heaven Can't Wait Any Longer": "Because heaven no longer wanted to wait for this man, the world now mourns him. And the less we actually listen to him during his lifetime, the greater the esteem in which he is held. Because Francis could speak to the conscience of the powerful as forcefully as he wished, visit refugee camps and slums with such publicity—the powerful applauded, knelt before him—and then simply move on. It is not true that the prophet has no value in his own country. Today, the prophet is showered with praise, receives honorary doctorates, and lavish awards. He simply 'bounces off' us when he calls for change. Anyone who warns, admonishes, appeals, threatens, implores, or begs to address poverty or climate justice is applauded and then, usually, simply ignored. Whether it is the Pope, the UN Secretary-General, or hundreds of thousands of people." From Friday activists, to the former US vice president, to dozens of Nobel Prize winners: we say: 'Yes and amen - and forget it!' Because whoever has become a moral authority has no power. Joseph Stalin rightly asked what we still think today: 'How many divisions does the Pope have?'

In any case, Pope Francis no longer even has the power to oppose a visit by Donald Trump to his funeral. This American president lacks everything that characterized Francis: decency, compassion, understanding, a vision of science, and respect for human rights. Anyone who asks Trump for indulgence and clemency for refugees by referring to the Bible feels insulted by him, like the Anglican Bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde. It would take someone like her to "tell the truth" clearly and loudly to the White House autocrat at the Vatican funeral. But that won't happen. Because that would require someone with attitude, wit, and courage. Someone like Jorge Mario Bergoglio. The Pope and his native Argentina

Likewise, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung published an article entitled "He Never Returned. Why Francis Stayed Away from Argentina." In it, it notes: "Francis shunned Argentina, justifying it by the country's political polarization, in which he did not want to become embroiled. He feared that his visit could have been subject to political abuse and promised that he would only go to Argentina if it could contribute to 'national reconciliation.' On the other hand, he showed no fear of contact with controversial Argentine politicians, especially former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, with whom he was rumored to have a close relationship. In his anniversary biography, Francis emphasized that he had never belonged to or sympathized with the Peronist party, but added: 'What would be wrong with the hypothesis of a Peronist vision of politics?'"