Dossiers Archive | Page 17 of 20

Dossiers

Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s choice of the name Francis immediately signaled the doctrinal orientation of his pontificate. Following in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi, the new Bishop of Rome embraced three guiding principles: love for the poor, care for our common home, and a commitment to a culture of encounter and peace. Although critics sometimes labeled this approach as populist, Pope Francis explicitly rejected that characterization. In truth, his outlook was open, transnational, and pluralistic—the very opposite of European populist movements. From his earliest symbolic gestures—refusing the papal apartments and embracing migrants in Lampedusa—Bergoglio embodied a “Church that goes forth,” one that engages the world not with doctrinal arrogance, but with a spirit of service. His language, stripped of curial formalism, brought the papacy closer to the people, while his identity as the pope “from the ends of the earth” shifted the Church’s center of gravity away from Europe toward the world’s peripheries, fostering a new alliance among faiths, cultures, and peoples. In this dossier, we offer a series of reflections on the legacy of his pontificate and the future prospects of the Church.

Being a Christian in the Middle East
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They are “People of the Book”, and they share the same values as Muslims. And yet, the lives of Christians in the Middle East seem to have become more difficult in recent years. Many emigrate, their numbers dwindle, and their political influence is reduced while threats increase, from Iraq to Egypt and even Turkey. This, to the extent that a few months ago the European Parliament almost unanimously voted a resolution expressing serious condemnation. How do Christians live in the Middle East? What role do they play in societies where there is a Muslim majority?
And the winner is: Fear
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The Italian elections held in April have returned the centre-right government to power. Silvio Berlusconi is once again Prime Minister, leading a coalition that is even more right-wing than the previous one. The Northern League, gambling on people’s fear of foreigners, managed to address a widespread need for social and economic security, and will now play a pivotal role in the government. What are the real reasons for this party’s success? Relations between Rome and Arab capitals are destined to be overturned. In what sense will Italy’s foreign policy change?
The Saudi Enigma
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Although it is still impossible to build a Christian church in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah has intensified interreligious dialogue with Pope Benedict XVI. The debate addressing women’s right to drive has recommenced, however, the “religious police”, the Mutawwa, continues to rule. Conflicting news from a mysterious kingdom safeguarding Islam’s holy places, but one that is certainly not considered a model by the Muslim world. Riyadh is still a key ally for the USA, not only for its oil but above all due to the anti-Iranian role it plays in this region, and this is one of the reasons for which, while the world fights for Tibet, for some time now silence has fallen as far as human rights in Saudi Arabia are concerned.
Who would be better for the World?
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Barack Obama has a multicultural and international background. His father is Kenyan, he has lived in Indonesia and his family is spread out over three continents, as far as China. On the other hand, former First Lady Hillary Clinton has more experience in foreign policy issues, although only indirectly. The world cannot vote for either of them, but it is closely watching the race between the two Democrat candidates to the White House. And it wants to know who has more chance of resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict? Who would be better at handling the crisis in Iraq and the difficult relations with Iran?
No country for immigrants
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In the Democratic Party primaries, immigrants took part en masse, but Walter Veltroni’s party has not even proposed one as a candidate for the forthcoming national elections on 13th April. On the contrary, he has excluded the only outgoing representative, Khaled Fouad Allam, from the list. The centre-right chose Souad Sbai, although she risks not being elected. Italians abroad who are not living in Italy can vote, whilst the children of immigrants, who support the Italian national football team, speak local dialects and have possibly always lived here, cannot vote. Why do Italian politics dismiss immigrants? Because they don’t vote? Because politicians think that they make them lose votes?
What is secularism?
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The concept of secularism originated in the West, although here it has and has had various meanings. Philosopher Charles Taylor says ‘it consists, among other things, of a move from a society where belief in God is unchallenged to one in which it is understood to be one option among others’. In the Muslim world secularism creates several misunderstandings. And yet when interpreted in a certain sense, it could present itself as ‘the third way’ to the crisis of political societies in the Middle East and in opposition to the secular authoritarianism of the state and the rise of religious fundamentalism within the civil society.
Boycotting Israel? Surely not
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Various Communist politicians and Muslim intellectuals have called upon people to boycott the Book Fair in Turin, “guilty” of asking Israel to be its guest of honour. This has sparked off a heated debate in Italy, where the reasons of those against the boycott have come across as much more balanced and sound (one cannot compare the Israeli government with its writers, and the authors invited, such as Oz and Yehoshua, are men of peace and dialogue). Someone however (who really could not wait) has seized the occasion to expose some anti-semitism and "Islamic fascism" in someone who in reality only reacted due to political reasons, such as Tariq Ramadan.
Kosovo, time to decide
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The parliamentary elections on the 17th November saw victory for those in favour of secession from Serbia. It is likely that with effect from the 10th December Kosovo will unilaterally declare its independence. What will the consequences of this decision be for the region? The Kosovars see no other alternative. Serbia considers independence to be inadmissible, and has the support of Russia. The international community is divided. And so is Europe, which urges caution but risks proving itself once again to be impotent in the face of crisis in the Balkans. Yet now more than ever there would seem to be a need for an inequivocal stance.
The Oriana Phenomenon, a sociological perspective
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One year after her death, an exhibition dedicated to Oriana Fallaci has met with the usual success with audiences in New York, Milan and Rome. And once again it resulted in moved memories expressed by the media (most of all Rizzoli and Mediaset). Two sociologist, one French and the other Italian, once again ask themselves why Italians love Oriana Fallaci and her Lepenist school of thought so much. Are they racists? Her success in Italy and abroad reveals interesting information not only about those who love her last books, but also about our societies. This is the thesis embraced by Giancarlo Bosetti, Reset’s editor in chief, who has written a book about Fallaci, about “orianism” and thinking-in-terms-of-the-enemy.
Saving Pakistan to save Islam
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According to the Economist Pakistan is the most dangerous place in the world. And nevertheless, Pakistan boasts a long tradition of democracy. Its people is moderate and against terrorism. Its media are definitely freer than the average Arab country. Benazir Bhutto was the first Muslim woman to become Prime Minister. Its economy is growing by 7% on average per year. Pakistan could be a much more modern and attractive model for Islamic countries than the Saudi Wahhabi one. This is why on the next elections on 18th February, the future not only of Pakistan, but also a large part of the future of Islam is at stake.