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MONTECARLO AND THE YOUNG POPE COOKED BY THE NUN

The Principality of Monaco, which has always had a privileged relationship with the Holy See, has a seat at the UN, while the Vatican is only an observer. Perhaps certain dialogues or meetings are held because they can have them, albeit silently and with soft feet, even other implications that do not tickle populism? Go and explain it to those who comment easily on social media.

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When I was a young man with high hopes the only one who noticed it was a very good nun who spent much of her religious life feeding philosophy and theology students, with its kitchen. The nun envisaged a future for me as Pope. Not just a remote eventuality, but belonging to the realm of the impossible. For more, if we see what it means to be the Pope today in the time of the internet and gods social media, a career of that kind would rather be discouraged than hoped for. Newspapers or agencies give news of something the Pope has said or done? Open up heaven. Comments rain immediately, criticism and comparisons. There is someone who takes care to verify the news or evaluate it? Let's imagine. If it has already been ruminated on and prepared to be read, in case anticipated by some little title that gets likes, how do you say, the game is done. Tomorrow is another day anyway and that will be old news by now. Meantime, the flow of illiteracy that leaves no one behind continues unstoppable, even a successor of Saint Peter.

Take for example the recent trip of the Holy Father in the Principality of Monaco, The second one. But how, a Pope who goes to the kingdom of the rich, of ostentatious luxury and tax evasion? With the jarring confrontation with Francesco just around the corner, his first trip, instead he did it in Lampedusa. But if you think that even that trip was not free from criticism, you are wrong. Only now the comparison becomes useful and even good Christians fall for it, forget about that guy who was once called a glutton and a drunkard, friend of prostitutes and publicans, who didn't disdain getting help from Giovanna, wife of Cuza, Director of Herod (Mt 11,18-19; LC 8,3).

What if the Pope had gone to Munich on purpose precisely to remember what the Gospel says to those who have more than others? Easy to say in Lampedusa, try saying it in front of those who have the money, and how; with the risk of being told what the Athenians said to Paul by patting him on the shoulder: «We'll hear from you another time about this» (At 17, 32). Without the fact, not secondary, that in the Principality of Monaco there is a Catholic community which has always had a privileged relationship with the Holy See, has a seat at the UN, while the Vatican is only an observer. Perhaps certain dialogues or meetings are held because they can have them, albeit silently and with soft feet, even other implications that do not tickle populism? Go and explain it to those who comment easily on social media. They don't have time to read what the Pope said to Prince Albert II in Monaco, when he recalled that the countries of the «Mediterranean (I'm) today threatened by a widespread climate of closure and self-sufficiency". Than living in an elite place, although composite «it represents for some a privilege and for all a specific call to question their place in the world. In the eyes of God, nothing is received in vain! As Jesus suggests in the parable of the talents, what has been entrusted to us should not be buried underground, but put into circulation and multiplied in the horizon of the Kingdom of God.

This horizon is broader than the private one and it is not about a utopian world: God's Kingdom, to which Jesus consecrated his life, it's close, because he comes among us and shakes up the unjust configurations of power, the structures of sin that dig chasms between the poor and the rich, between the privileged and the discarded, between friends and enemies. Every talent, every opportunity, every good placed in our hands has a universal destination, an intrinsic need to be unrestrained, but redistributed, so that everyone's life is better. This is why Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6,11); and at the same time he says: «Search, first of all, the kingdom of God and his justice" (Mt 6,33). This logic of freedom and sharing is at the foundation of the parable of the Last Judgment, which has the poor at its centre: Christ the judge, who sits on the throne, he identifies with each of them (cf. Mt 25,31-46). Anyone who wants to understand should not have much effort. He reminded the Catholic community:

«Cristo […] dynamic center, heart of our faith […] His compassionate and merciful trait makes him an "advocate" in defense of the poor and sinners, certainly not to indulge evil, but to free them from oppression and slavery and make them children of God and brothers among themselves. It is no coincidence that the gestures performed by Jesus are not limited to the physical or spiritual healing of the person, but they also include an important social and political dimension: the healed person is reinstated, in all its dignity, in the human and religious community from which, often precisely because of his condition of illness or sin, had been excluded. This communion is the sign par excellence of the Church, called to be in the world a reflection of the love of God who does not show preference for people (cf. At 10,34). In this sense, I would like to say that your Church, here in the Principality of Monaco, possesses great wealth: be a place, a reality in which everyone finds welcome and hospitality, in that social and cultural mix that is your typical trait. The Principality of Monaco, indeed, it is a small state inhabited in a varied way by Monegasques, French, Italians and people of many other nationalities. A small cosmopolitan state, in which the variety of origins is also associated with other socioeconomic differences. In the Church, these differences never become an occasion for division into social classes but, on the contrary, everyone is welcomed as people and children of God, and all are recipients of a gift of grace that encourages communion, brotherhood and mutual love. This is the gift that comes from Christ, our advocate with the Father. Indeed, we have all been baptized in Him and, therefore, says Saint Paul, “there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is no slave nor free; there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus". (Gal 3,28) (cf.. official speech in the video, who).

Then there was also the meeting with the young people which I omit because what I have reported is enough for me to underline that even the Petrine ministry is going through the crisis that envelops today's communication and that those who rely on the titles already set, they leave out the effort, although beautiful, to delve deeper and know.

Then there is one last aspect. Words are like seeds, they need time to germinate. In the Church quite a lot. When Benedict XV, in the midst of the First World War, defined that war: "useless massacre"; that expression, as one historian put it, «he stayed, and raised a storm". It was opposed by everyone, received with indifference by the press, by politicians and even accused of weakening the troops at the front. Today we recognize it as the most fitting definition of a tragic event and rightly consigned to history. Without that statement another Pope, Paul VI, he could not have uttered the equally famous cry in the UN assembly: «Never again war, never again war!». Today it is normal to think of popes as men of peace.

I started by mentioning the good cooking of a nun. In the same period, a few days before the conclave that would elect him began, I was mandated - I confess, without much desire - to serve Mass to Cardinal Albino Luciani, at the Church of San Marco in Piazza Venezia in Rome. We were two acolytes, the rector of the church and four cats of believers. After Mass, in the sacristy, not knowing what to say I left: "Eminence, congratulations". He looked at me good-naturedly and then said: «You know what they say in my country?». the: «no…». And he told me it in dialect and then translated it for me: «You can't make gnocchi with this pasta».

You can see that from up there someone knows how to cook better than us. It's that in the Church words are like some foods: they prefer slow and prolonged cooking, so that they can then be enjoyed in all their aromatic ranges. Today we feed on fast food, even in the news we scroll through on our smartphones. It's our time and nothing can be done about it. Maybe just remember that Guy I mentioned earlier, the one who asked for financial help from women. He once said that the Word of the Kingdom of God is like a seed that falls on different soils, some quite refractory, others more well disposed. And there it bears fruit. The divine Sower doesn't care much about the soil, but of the fruit yes, if necessary, good food too.

From the Hermitage, 30 March 2026

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MONTECARLO AND THE YOUNG POPE COOKED BY THE NUN

The Principality of Monaco, which has always maintained a privileged relationship with the Holy See, holds a seat at the United Nations, while the Vatican is only an observer. Perhaps certain dialogues or meetings take place because they may have, even if silently and with soft steps, further implications that do not lend themselves to populist appeal? Try explaining that to those who are quick to comment on social media.

.

When I was a young man full of promise, the only one who seemed to notice was a very good nun who spent a large part of her religious life feeding students of philosophy and theology with her cooking. The religious sister envisaged for me a future as Pope. An eventuality not only remote, but belonging to the realm of the impossible. Moreover, if we consider what it means today to be Pope in the age of the internet and social media, such a career would be more to be discouraged than desired. Do newspapers or agencies report something that the Pope has said or done? All hell breaks loose. Comments, criticisms, and comparisons immediately pour down. Is there anyone who takes the trouble to verify the news or to examine it? Hardly. If it has already been chewed over and prepared so that it can be read, perhaps preceded by some catchy headline designed to attract likes, as they say, the game is done. After all, tomorrow is another day and that will already be old news. Meanwhile, the relentless flow of an illiteracy that spares no one continues, not even a successor of Saint Peter.

Let us take as an example the recent journey of the Holy Father to the Principality of Monaco, the second. What then, a Pope who goes to the realm of the rich, of ostentatious luxury and of tax evasion? With, just around the corner, the striking comparison with Francis who, on his first journey, went instead to Lampedusa. But if you think that even that journey was not without criticism, you are mistaken. It is only that now the comparison proves useful, and even good Christians fall into it, forgetful of that One who was once called a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of prostitutes and tax collectors, who did not disdain to be assisted by Joanna, the wife of Chuza, steward of Herod (Mt 11:18–19; Page 8:3).

What if the Pope had gone to Monaco precisely to remind those who have more than others of what the Gospel says to them? It is easy to say it in Lampedusa; try saying it in front of those who truly have money, and plenty of it, at the risk of hearing the very words that the Athenians addressed to Paul, patting him on the shoulder: “We will hear you again about this” (Acts 17:32). Leaving aside the not insignificant fact that in the Principality of Monaco there exists a Catholic community which has always maintained a privileged relationship with the Holy See, it holds a seat at the United Nations, while the Vatican is only an observer. Perhaps certain dialogues or meetings take place because they may have, even if silently and with soft steps, further implications that do not lend themselves to populist appeal? Try explaining that to those who are quick to comment on social media. They do not have the time to read what the Pope said in Monaco to Prince Albert II, when he recalled that the countries of the “Mediterranean (are) today threatened by a widespread climate of closure and self-sufficiency”. That living in an elite place, albeit a composite one, “represents for some a privilege and for all a specific calling to question their place in the world. In the eyes of God, nothing is received in vain! As Jesus suggests in the parable of the talents, what has been entrusted to us must not be buried underground, but set in motion and multiplied within the horizon of the Kingdom of God.”

That horizon is broader than the private one and does not concern a utopian world: the Kingdom of God, to which Jesus devoted his life, is near, because it comes among us and shakes the unjust configurations of power, the structures of sin that dig abysses between the poor and the rich, between the privileged and the discarded, between friends and enemies. Every talent, every opportunity, every good placed in our hands has a universal destination, an intrinsic requirement not to be withheld, but to be redistributed, so that the life of all may be better. For this reason Jesus taught us to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6:11); and at the same time he says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Mt 6:33). This logic of freedom and sharing is at the foundation of the parable of the Last Judgment, which places the poor at the center: Christ the judge, who sits on the throne, identifies himself with each one of them (cf. Mt 25:31–46). Whoever wishes to understand should not find it too difficult. To the Catholic community he recalled:

“Christ […] the dynamic center, the heart of our faith […] His compassionate and merciful disposition makes him an ‘advocate’ in defense of the poor and of sinners, certainly not in order to condone evil, but to free them from oppression and slavery and to make them children of God and brothers and sisters among themselves. It is no coincidence that the actions performed by Jesus are not limited to the physical or spiritual healing of the person, but also include an important social and political dimension: the person who is healed is reintegrated, in all his dignity, into the human and religious community from which, often precisely because of his condition of illness or sin, he had been excluded. This communion is the preeminent sign of the Church, which is called to be in the world a reflection of the love of God who shows no partiality (cf. Acts 10:34). In this sense, I would like to say that your Church, here in the Principality of Monaco, possesses a great richness: being a place, a reality in which all find welcome and hospitality, in that social and cultural mixture which is a characteristic of yours. The Principality of Monaco, in fact, is a small State, yet inhabited in a varied way by Monegasques, French, Italians and people of many other nationalities. A small cosmopolitan State, in which to the variety of origins are also joined other differences of a socio-economic kind. In the Church, such differences never become an occasion for division into social classes; on the contrary, all are welcomed as persons and as children of God, and all are recipients of a gift of grace that fosters communion, fraternity and mutual love. This is the gift that comes from Christ, our advocate before the Father. Indeed, we have all been baptized in Him and therefore, as Saint Paul affirms, ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’” (Gal 3:28) (cf. official address in the video by Vatican News, here).

Then there was also the meeting with the young people, which I omit because what I have reported is enough for me to underline that even the Petrine ministry is traversed by the crisis that envelops contemporary communication, and that those who rely on pre-packaged headlines neglect the effort — though a beautiful one — of going deeper and of knowing.

There is then one last aspect. Words are like seeds; in order to germinate they need time. In the Church, quite a lot of it. When Benedict XV, in the midst of the First World War, defined that war as an “useless slaughter”, that expression, as a historian put it, “remained, and stirred up a storm”. It was opposed by everyone, received with indifference by the press and by politicians, and even accused of weakening the troops at the front. Today we recognize it as the most fitting definition of a tragic event, rightly consigned to history. Without that statement, another Pope, Paul VI, would not have been able to pronounce, in the assembly of the United Nations, the equally famous cry: “No more war, never again war!”. Today it is normal to think of the pontiffs as men of peace.

I began by mentioning the good cooking of a nun. In that same period, a few days before the conclave that would elect him began, I was sent — I confess, not very willingly — to serve Mass for Cardinal Albino Luciani at the Church of San Marco in Piazza Venezia in Rome. There were two of us altar servers, the rector of the church, and a mere handful of faithful. After Mass, in the sacristy, not knowing what to say, I blurted out: “Your Eminence, my best wishes.” He looked at me kindly and then said: “Do you know how we say it in my village?” I replied: “No…”. And he told me in dialect and then translated it: “With this dough, you can’t make gnocchi.”

It would seem that someone up there knows how to cook better than we do. The point is that in the Church words are like certain foods: they prefer slow and prolonged cooking, so that they may then be savored in all their aromatic layers. Today we feed on fast food, even in the news we scroll through on our smartphones. It is our time, and there is nothing to be done about it. Perhaps only to recall that One I mentioned earlier, the one who allowed himself to be supported financially by women. Once he said that the Word of the Kingdom of God is like a seed that falls on different kinds of soil, some rather resistant, others more receptive. And there it bears fruit. The divine Sower is not so concerned with the soil, but with the fruit — and, when needed, with good cooking as well.

From the Hermitage, 30 March 2026

.

MONTECARLO AND THE YOUNG POPE COOKED BY THE NUN

The Principality of Monaco, which has always maintained a privileged relationship with the Holy See, has a seat in the UN, while the Vatican is just an observer. Perhaps certain dialogues or meetings are carried out because they may have, even if it is silently and with plush steps, even other reaches that do not flatter populism? Go explain it to those who comment easily on social media

.

When I was a young man full of hope, The only one who seemed to notice was a very good nun who spent much of her religious life feeding philosophy and theology students with her cooking.. The nun predicted a future for me as Pope. An eventuality not only remote, but belonging to the realm of the impossible. Besides, if we consider what it means to be Pope today in times of the internet and social networks, a race of that type would be more to advise against than to wish. Do newspapers or news agencies report anything the Pope has said or done?? The sky is armed. Comments immediately rain, reviews and comparisons. Is there anyone who takes the trouble to verify the news or examine it? Don't even think about it. If it has already been ruminated and prepared to be read, perhaps preceded by some like-catching headline, as they say, the game is done. Total, Tomorrow is another day and that will be old news. Meanwhile, The flow of illiteracy that leaves no one out continues unstoppable., not even a successor of Saint Peter.

Let's take as an example the recent trip of the Holy Father to the Principality of Monaco, the second. But how is it possible?, A Pope who goes to the kingdom of the rich, of ostentatious luxury and tax evasion? With, immediately around the corner, the strident comparison with Francisco, who, on his first trip, went instead to Lampedusa. But if you think that that trip was not without criticism either, you are mistaken. Only now the comparison is useful, and even good Christians fall into it, forgetful of Him who was once called a glutton and a drinker, friend of prostitutes and publicans, who did not disdain to let Juana help, woman of Cusa, Herod's administrator (Mt 11,18-19; LC 8,3).

What would happen if the Pope had gone to Monaco? to remember what the Gospel says to those who have more than others? Easy to say in Lampedusa; try to say it in front of those who have money, and a lot; with the risk of hearing himself answer the same thing that the Athenians said to Paul, patting him on the shoulder: «We will hear from you again about this» (Hch 17,32). Leaving aside the fact, not secondary, that in the Principality of Monaco there is a Catholic community that has always maintained a privileged relationship with the Holy See, has a seat in the UN, while the Vatican is just an observer. Perhaps certain dialogues or meetings are carried out because they may have, even if it is silently and with plush steps, even other reaches that do not flatter populism? Go explain it to those who comment easily on social media. They do not have time to read what the Pope said in Monaco to Prince Albert II, when he recalled that the countries of the «Mediterranean (are) today threatened by a general climate of closure and self-sufficiency". Than living in an elite place, although composed, «represents for some a privilege and for everyone a specific call to question their own place in the world. In the eyes of God, nothing is received in vain. How Jesus makes us understand in the parable of the talents, what has been entrusted to us should not be buried underground, but put into circulation and multiplied on the horizon of the Kingdom of God.

That horizon is broader than the private one and it does not refer to a utopian world: the Kingdom of God, to whom Jesus has consecrated his life, is about, because he comes among us and shakes the unjust configurations of power, the structures of sin that open chasms between the poor and the rich, between privileged and discarded, between friends and enemies. every talent, every opportunity, Every good placed in our hands has a universal destiny, an intrinsic demand not to be held back, but redistributed, so that everyone's life is better. That is why Jesus has taught us to pray: "Give us today our daily bread" (Mt 6,11); and at the same time says: «Seek, first of all, the Kingdom of God and his justice" (Mt 6,33). This logic of freedom and sharing is at the base of the parable of universal judgment, that has the poor at the center: Christ judge, who sits on the throne, identifies with each one of them (cf. Mt 25,31-46). Whoever wants to understand should not find much difficulty. He reminded the Catholic community:

«Cristo […] dynamic center, heart of our faith […] His compassionate and merciful trait makes him a “lawyer” in defense of the poor and sinners., certainly not to support evil, but to free them from oppression and slavery and make them children of God and brothers among themselves. It is no coincidence that the gestures performed by Jesus are not limited to the physical or spiritual healing of the person., but also include an important social and political dimension: the cured person is reinstated, in all its dignity, in the human and religious community of which, often precisely because of their condition of illness or sin, had been excluded. This communion is the sign par excellence of the Church, called to be in the world a reflection of the love of God who is no respecter of persons (cf. Hch 10,34). In this sense, I would like to say that your Church, here in the Principality of Monaco, has great wealth: be a place, a reality in which everyone finds welcome and hospitality, in that social and cultural mix that is a typical feature of yours. The Principality of Monaco, indeed, It is a small inhabited state, however, variously by Monegasques, French, Italians and people of many other nationalities. A small cosmopolitan state, in which other socioeconomic differences are also added to the variety of origins. In the Church, Such differences never become an occasion for division into social classes., but, on the contrary, all are welcomed as people and children of God, and all are recipients of a gift of grace that fosters communion, brotherhood and mutual love. This is the gift that comes from Christ, our lawyer before the Father. Indeed, We have all been baptized into Him and, therefore, Saint Paul affirms, “there is no Jew or Greek; there is no slave nor free; there is no man or woman, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.". (Gal 3,28) (cf. official speech in the video, here).

Then there was also the meeting with the young people, which I omit because what I have mentioned is enough for me to emphasize that even the Petrine ministry is going through the crisis that surrounds current communication and that those who rely on already prefabricated headlines neglect the effort - although beautiful - to go deeper and to know.

There is also one last aspect. Words are like seeds: they need time to germinate. In the Church, quite. When Benedict XV, in the midst of the First World War, He defined that war as "useless slaughter", that expression, as a historian said, "it stood and raised a storm". It was fought by everyone, received with indifference by the press and by politicians, and even accused of weakening the troops on the front. Today we recognize it as the most accurate definition of a tragic event., rightly consigned to history. Without that statement, another Pope, Paul VI, would not have been able to utter the equally famous cry within the UN: «Never again war, never again war!». Today it is normal to think of the pontiffs as men of peace.

I began alluding to the good cooking of a nun. In that same period, a few days before the conclave that would elect him began, I was sent - I confess, without much desire — to serve Mass for Cardinal Albino Luciani, in the church of San Marco in Piazza Venezia, in Rome. We were the acolytes, the rector of the church and four cats of faithful. After Mass, in the sacristy, without knowing what to say, I blurted out: "Eminence, congratulations». He looked at me benevolently and then said: «Do you know how they say in my town?». Yo: «no…». And he told it to me in dialect and then he translated it for me: «Gnocchi is not made with this dough».

It seems that up there someone knows how to cook better than us.. In the Church, words are like certain foods.: They prefer slow and long cooking, so that they can then be savored in all their aromatic notes. Today we eat fast food, also in the news that we scroll through on our smartphones. It's our time and nothing can be done about it. Maybe just remember the One I mentioned before, the one who allowed himself to be helped financially by women. He once said that the Word of the Kingdom of God is like a seed that falls on different soils., some quite refractory, others more willing. And there it bears fruit. The divine Sower does not care so much about the ground, but of the fruit yes, and, when required, also good cuisine.

From the Hermitage, 30 March 2026

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