Consider This from NPR

Episode: How a Punishing Two Years Shaped Pope Francis
Release Date: April 26, 2025
Host: Scott Detrow
Guest: Daniel Burke, NPR Religion Editor

Introduction: The Hidden Struggles of Pope Francis

In this compelling episode of Consider This, host Scott Detrow delves into a lesser-known and tumultuous period in the life of Pope Francis. Once perceived as arrogant and aloof, Francis experienced a significant transformation during a two-year exile from the Argentinian Jesuit order—a time he later described as a "dark night" and a personal crisis. This episode explores how these challenging years profoundly influenced his leadership and the direction of the Catholic Church.

Discovery of the Two-Year Gap in Francis’s Resume

[00:00 – 01:31]

Scott Detrow introduces the central theme by highlighting a noteworthy gap in Pope Francis's early career. NPR Religion Editor Daniel Burke uncovered a two-year period (1990-1992) where Francis held a menial parish position in Cordoba, far from his influential role as the leader of the Jesuit order in Buenos Aires. This stark contrast raised questions about the circumstances that led to his apparent sidelining.

Daniel Burke:
"Shortly after he was elected Pope in 2013, there were timelines of his life produced by the Catholic Church. And there was this gap, as you said, from 1990 to 1992, in which he was essentially doing nothing, a very menial job at a parish in the city of Cordoba, far from his home city."
[01:52]

Reasons for Exile: Divisions Within the Jesuit Order

[02:40 – 04:38]

Burke explains that Francis was exiled due to internal conflicts within the Jesuit community. His progressive vision that priests should be deeply engaged with their communities—literally working on farms to support the poor—clashed with more traditional Jesuits who preferred intellectual and academic pursuits. This ideological split led to his removal from a prominent position to a less influential parish, marking the beginning of his "dark night."

Daniel Burke:
"He was creating division among the Jesuits. He had this view that priests should, he still said this as pope, should smell like their sheep, which means, like, be in touch with the people with the flock."
[03:12]

Life During Exile: A Time of Purification and Reflection

[04:38 – 05:43]

During his two-year exile, Francis had little responsibility beyond completing his doctoral dissertation—a task he found unengaging. Instead, he devoted his time to prayer, reading, and writing essays. This period was not just a punishment but also a time of purification, allowing him to reflect deeply on his faith and purpose.

Daniel Burke:
"He refers to it as a time of purification and as a dark night."
[03:06]

Transformation: From Authoritarian to Compassionate Leader

[05:31 – 07:27]

The exile had a transformative effect on Francis. Colleagues and friends observed a significant shift in his demeanor—from an authoritarian figure to a more collaborative and compassionate leader. This change was evident in his approach to leadership, where he became more open to listening and compromising.

Daniel Burke:
"The man who emerged was not as authoritarian. He's much more consulting with other people. He's much more willing to listen to other people and to compromise."
[04:45]

Burke also notes the stark contrast between the stern, avoided Francis of Cordoba and the joyful, approachable pope who emerged years later.

Daniel Burke:
"When he heard confessions, Catholics did not want to go to him. He was known as being strict. They called him Father Sour Face. And so they actually avoided him."
[07:03]

Impact on His Papacy: A Heart for the Marginalized and Merciful Leadership

[07:27 – 08:40]

Burke connects Francis's exile to his later papacy, emphasizing how his experiences fostered a deep empathy for those marginalized or ostracized. Francis's focus on mercy, inclusivity, and being a "field hospital" rather than a "fortress" stems directly from his own time of isolation and introspection.

Daniel Burke:
"He had a heart for those kind of people. If you see him talking to people on the margins, he's always welcoming them into the Church. He had this evocative phrase that he wanted it to be a field hospital and not a fortress."
[05:43]

Additionally, Burke reflects on a poignant interaction where Francis advised a politician to "live your exile" to become kinder and more merciful—a testament to the wisdom gleaned from his own challenging times.

Daniel Burke:
"You have to live your exile and you will come back kinder and more merciful and be prepared to serve your people."
[05:43]

Personal Reflections: Lessons from Adversity

[08:27 – 09:44]

Burke shares how researching Francis's exile influenced his own perspective on personal setbacks. He draws parallels between Francis's forced pause and his own experiences, highlighting the importance of resilience and personal growth in the face of adversity.

Daniel Burke:
"I think what I learned from him and what I learned from this period is so much is dependent on how you handle those situations. Right. Like, he could have gone into this period and really just moped and left the Jesuit order or left the church and not really used it in the way he did, which was to make himself a better person at the end of the day."
[08:40]

Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of a Transformed Leader

[09:48 – 10:02]

The episode concludes by underscoring how the two-year exile was pivotal in shaping Pope Francis into the compassionate and inclusive leader he is today. This period of hardship and introspection not only redefined his personal character but also had a lasting impact on the global Catholic Church.

Notable Quotes

• Daniel Burke on the Gap:
  "He was essentially doing nothing, a very menial job at a parish in the city of Cordoba."
  [01:52]

• Daniel Burke on Exile Purpose:
  "He refers to it as a time of purification and as a dark night."
  [03:06]

• Daniel Burke on Leadership Change:
  "He's much more willing to listen to other people and to compromise."
  [04:45]

• Daniel Burke on Personal Growth:
  "So much is dependent on how you handle those situations."
  [08:40]

This episode of Consider This masterfully unpacks a critical yet obscure chapter in Pope Francis's life, revealing how periods of adversity can lead to profound personal transformation and impactful leadership.