Archbishop Cupich receives pallium from Pope Francis, talks about same-sex marriage
ROME (WLS) -- Three days ago, they hadn't met each other. Now, it seems Pope Francis and Chicago's Archbishop might become fast friends - sharing a common view on what it means to be a pastor and speaking out on the big issues affecting our lives.
The majestic Pallium Mass at St. Peter's Basilica is all about the mantle of responsibility placed on new archbishops and their unity with Pope Francis.
When it comes to Chicago's Archbishop Blase Cupich, there's no doubt now: he's a Pope Francis man, and there's a different tone at the top of the Chicago Archdiocese.
"I think that anytime there's a new leadership, where it's a position of power or archdiocese, there is going to be a new direction, because everyone is unique and different," Archbishop Cupich said.
It's a difference in words and action. For instance, on the Supreme Court's landmark same-sex marriage ruling, Archbishop Cupich said: "If you are a gay person, you should feel welcome and I think my statement says that and I want to be very clear."
The archbishop makes a distinction between the court's new definition of civil marriage and Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church.
This Mass and his meetings with the pope appear to have reenergized him on what he wants to accomplish in Chicago.
"If I can make sure that people who are very poor, forgotten, neglected, part of throw-away culture, know that they count, it's important and I want to continue to do that," Archbishop Cupich said.
And it's impacted the Chicagoans here in Rome.
"I think he has a very open opinion about things and I think he will take the Church forward," said Carol Bilder, a pilgrim from Burr Ridge.
"I think was just one of those moments where you felt the energy. Not only the energy of Archbishop Cupich but the energy of faith," said Fr. Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension.
And the Archbishop's solidified a relationship with Pope Francis, a man he only met in person three days ago. They not only appear to agree on substance and form, but it seems they've quickly come to appreciate each other.
"He has a very good healthy laugh," Archbishop Cupich said.
"I think it's fair to say, you have a healthy laugh," ABC7's Alan Krashesky said. As Archbishop Cupich laughs, Krashesky says, "Yeah, just like that."
"Well, but you are a humorous person, Alan, you draw that out of me," Archbishop Cupich said.
It's likely we'll be watching Chicago's Archbishop taking on a larger role in shaping the mission of the Catholic Church, both in Chicago and at the Vatican.
But when asked about whether he even thinks about eventually becoming a cardinal, perhaps as early as next year, he brushed it aside, saying he has so much on his plate already.
ARCHBISHOP CUPICH RECEIVES PALLIUM FROM POPE FRANCIS
Archbishop Blase Cupich received his pallium from Pope Francis Monday at a special Vatican Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica.
The pallium is a special kind of wool cloth that is worn by Archbishops to signify their office.
During a grand Mass, Archbishop Cupich joined the procession of 46 new archbishops receiving their palliums Monday, and acknowledged Chicagoans in the crowd.
Deacons brought the palliums up from the lower level of the Basilica where they are stored near the tomb of St. Peter, and the Pope blessed the garments. The Pope told the new archbishops that the wooden pallium represents the sheep carried on the shoulders of a shepherd, which is also the role of a pastor.
Pope Francis personally gave Archbishop Cupich the pallium after the mass and Archbishop Cupich had a brief moment to speak with him.
"People are attracted to him," Cupich said, "not because so much of what he says, but just his own witness, the way he reaches out to people."
The Pope changed the traditional way bestowing of palliums as well. Instead of the Pope placing the garments on the shoulders of the new archbishops, they will take their palliums home for special ceremonies in their home churches. Archbishop Cupich received his in a sealed box handed to him personally by Pope Francis.
Archbishop Cupich's ceremony will be held in August, and he will not open the box himself. There is a letter on top of the box addressed to America's Papal Nuncio. Papal Nuncio's are permanent diplomatic representatives of the Holy See, essentially the Pope's ambassador to the United States. In the late August ceremony, the Papal Nuncio will come to Chicago, read the letter, open the box and place the pallium on Cupich's shoulders.
The relationship between the Pope and Archbishop Cupich is a warm one, as they appear to have become quick friends despite some language challenges.
"I made some mistakes," Cupich said, regarding having to speak only Italian during his private meetings with Pope Francis. "I apologized to the Holy Father for the mistakes and I said, 'How can I compete with you? Because you're the only one in the room that's infallible!'"
Archbishop Cupich's visit to Rome is his first meeting with the Pope since he took over the position.
ARCHBISHOP CUPICH REACTS TO SUPREME COURT'S SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DECISION
It is clear Archbishop Cupich is not taking the same approach to the Supreme Court's landmark same-sex marriage decision as some of his fellow bishops in the U.S.
"This is a very serious issue, this is a sensitive issue, this is a complicated issue, and so, I was willing to invest my time into crafting [my statement] well," he said.
After the decision, the U.S. Bishops Conference responded with words like "tragic error," "profoundly immoral" and "unjust." Cupich is instead urging "mature and serene reflections as we move forward together."
READ: Archbishop Cupich's statement on Supreme Court rulings
"At the same time, we all have in our own families people who are living in different sitations; circumstances are different for people," Cupich said. "Our job is to accompany people, that is something the Holy Father has said time and time again. So, as a pastor, I know that's the task before me.
Cupich also said that gay Catholics in Chicago should feel welcome in the church.
"If you are a gay person, you should feel welcome," Cupich said. "I think my statement says that and I want make that very clear."
It was also clear in Rome that this is an issue with which leaders at the top of the Catholic Church are wrestling as they try to determine how they should effectively respond.
"I'm not one to say that everything is a challenge to religious freedom," Cupich said. "On the other hand, I don't want to a government to come in and tell us how we should practice our faith. That's what the Constitution is supposed to be."
Cupich does make a distinction between civil marriage and the sacrament of holy matrimony within the Roman Catholic Church. In October, bishops around the world will gather in Rome to discuss some of the more controversial issues facing the church. Archbishop Cupich was not originally one of the bishops invited, but when ABC 7 asked if that has changed since his meetings with the Pope, he told us: "Stay tuned."
