Why "epalitics" should stay away from Pope Francis
The spontaneous tendency of politicians is, all the time, to be in the center stage, to be seen with the most famous, the most influential and the most popular. They are perpetually fixated on the accolades, the applause and the rousing welcome of the crowd. These political animals seem to be addicted to the glitters and glory of public life, stealing even from the principal guest the attention and adulation of the masses. Politicians have the instincts and the propensity to invite attention to themselves, to gain undeserved mileage out of sheer proximity to the man of the hour, the star of the event.
This time, however, when Pope Francis comes, these epalitics are told straight to their faces to evaporate and stay away, or stay out of the limelight. Even for a day or two in January, during the Papal visit, politicians are clearly forewarned that this is not the time for self-centered publicity. This is the day when almost all of the hundreds of thousands, nay, millions of Catholics, are raring and praying for a chance to touch the hands of the Vicar of Christ. The ordinary folks have much better chances to go near the Holy Father. They, after all, are the reasons for the pope's coming.
People, of course, would ask the inevitable question: Why discriminate against the politicians? They, too, are Christians and have the right to be in hearing distance of the Supreme Pontiff, and even shake his hand. But this pope is different. And his mission in coming here is basically and principally to bring hope and compassion to the victims of Yolanda, at least, what remains of them. The Holy Father just wants to be left alone with the poor, the sorrowful victims who have been left behind by parents, siblings, spouses, and children.
Whenever politicians are allowed access to the pope, the security risks multiply in geometric proportions. They have enemies who have been raring to eliminate them. That is why they should not be allowed in the immediate surrounding where the pope may be standing or sitting down. For some hired assassins may just be too happy to summarily execute these epalitics and the pope may yet be hit by some stray bullets. In the same manner, if these politicians are tainted by PDAP, or other shady and dubious activities, the pope should be protected from contamination.
Pope Francis does not like these modern scribes and Pharisees. These people who have the powers, the wealth and the prestige, are not really the reasons for this pontifical visit. The pope just wants to break bread with the victims of Yolanda, especially those who were orphaned and widowed. He did not come here to sell a product or an idea. He is here because he has a message. And that message is all about hope and mercy for the poor, the marginalized and the abandoned that could only emanate from the Lord. Let the politicians not muddle the purpose by their unadorned irrelevance.
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