This year’s gathering has piqued more media interest than recent synods. Much credit is due to the ever-unpredictable Francis, who has kept everyone on the edge of their seats since he assumed the Chair of St. Peter. A year and a half after the conclave, he continues to confound observers.
Salt + Light’s documentary The Francis Effect explains that, despite its many surprises, this pontificate hardly came out of the blue.
The introductory quote by German theologian Karl Rahner sets a bold thesis: Francis fulfills Rahner’s proclamation of “the period of Christianity as a fully world religion.” The case is supported by experts like church historian Fr. John O’Malley, who presents Francis as an embodiment of the Second Vatican Council’s intent to throw open the windows of the church to the world.
Beautifully shot and expertly edited, the film summarizes Jorge Bergoglio’s whirlwind first year as Pope, describing his concrete reforms to Vatican governance and finances. It also highlights the profound words and simple gestures that are inspiring legions of admirers to consider the Gospel anew.
Viewers with more conflicted feelings about Francis may feel their concerns are dismissed as mere grumbling. But while critics may debate his decisions, the film stresses that certain problems, such as the sex abuse crisis, can’t be solved overnight. The fascination with Francis won’t be enough to fill up the pews, either.
“The church somehow has to build on that credibility,” says CBC anchor Alison Smith. “It’s like he’s the headline, but the meat of the story is what’s happening in the broader reaches of the church.”
Those broader reaches, from Canada to Cameroon, are being represented at the Synod of Bishops this month. Whatever effect Francis has on them, and they have on him, the world is watching.
The Francis Effect can be purchased on DVD and Blu-Ray from the S+L website, or viewed online through Vimeo.
Kris Dmytrenko is a communications coordinator in the Archdiocese of Toronto's Office of Public Relations & Communications.