"The Pope and the Free Man"
"Bishop of Ajaccio, Francis Bustillo, Reminisces on Humor and Simplicity of Pope Francis Following His Demise"
Appearing on France 2, Bishop François Bustillo of Ajaccio talked about Pope Francis' visit to Corsica on December 15, 2024. Sharing his private conversations with the Pope, he painted Francis as "a bloke with a wicked sense of humor and an unpretentious demeanor." "He'd always have a quip or two about whatever he saw, the folks, the mob. He had a laid-back, uncomplicated vibe," Bustillo reminisced.
The Mysterious Bond
The papal connection between these two mavericks was intriguing. Pope Francis had acknowledged Bustillo's book and bestowed the title of cardinal upon him. Yet, if Francis held the Corsican bishop in such high regard, he never disclosed the reasons. "I asked him about it once, but he stays mum, as expected. (...) I reckon he's a free spirit. He didn't lay it all out, kept his own counsel, but he always acted in what he thought was best for others," Bustillo confided.
Soon, Bustillo embarks on a new adventure, jetting off to Rome to participate in a conclave for the first time, a crucial event that will lead to the election of the next pope. "This is a wild ride. (...) The damn thing is, there's something pretty grand about 135 blokes having to pick a pope for 1.4 billion Catholics. Talk about pressure!" he concluded.
Catch the full interview above.
On a deeper level, their connection seems to be underpinned by shared pastoral values and Bustillo's alignment with Francis' vision for the Church. Francis, who admired Bustillo's focus on witnessing "intense and overflowing love" over bureaucracy, even distributed the bishop's book Witnesses, Not Officials to Rome’s priests[1]. Bustillo's efforts to "humanize the Church" and tackle "old and new challenges" mirrored the Pope's emphasis on mercy and inclusion, particularly for marginalized communities[1][3].
Their rare visit to Corsica, a papal trip symbolizing support for Bustillo’s revival of Catholic identity on the island[5], further strengthened this bond. Moreover, colleagues highlighted their mutual respect for independence in pursuing pastoral priorities[2][3]. Although Francis never publicly explained their bond, their collaboration suggests a confluence of theological priorities and a mutual commitment to a pastoral rather than bureaucratic Church model.
- Bishop Bustillo, having held a unique and evidently admired position with Pope Francis, plans to delve into a new endeavor by attending a conclave in Rome, set to determine the selection of the next pope.
- In the realm of social media, it's not uncommon to see posts about their interactions between the Pope and Bustillo, as their relationship is steeped in shared pastoral values and a focus on witnessing love over bureaucracy.
- Interestingly, the Pope's appreciation for Bustillo extends beyond private conversations, as he once distributed Bustillo's book, Witnesses, Not Officials, to priests in Rome.
- In the movies and TV genre, a compelling story could be crafted around the fascinating bond between Church leader Pope Francis and independent-minded Bishop Bustillo of Ajaccio, showcasing their unconventional approach to faith and their pursuit of a pastoral, less bureaucratic Church model.
