Rome, the city that seems indifferent to everything and everyone, awaits the Conclave with curiosity. A curiosity that often turns into folklore and is no longer lived in the light of faith. This concerns more and more people—not only in Rome. Precisely for this reason, the new Pope cannot avoid considering that the proclamation of the faith must be one of the main themes of his Pontificate.
In recent years, much has been said about social issues, which are indeed important—but they are not decisive. We must return to speaking about the ultimate realities and reflect on the concept of “tradition,” which is often seen in a distorted light from both sides.
Rome, accustomed to ecclesial matters due to its proximity to the Vatican and its long Christian history, is increasingly becoming a pagan—or rather, an indifferent—city. If it were truly pagan, one could at least engage on a religious level, but the truth is that Romans are increasingly uninterested in the topic of “Catholic religion.”
Thus, the new Pontiff of the universal Church, as Bishop of Rome, will have to be a missionary in his own home. He will have to re-evangelize a complicated city that nevertheless plays a decisive role in the destiny of the world—Rome, Caput Mundi.
The new Pope will have to face parishes where participation in the Sacraments is at its lowest, where the Catholic faith seems like a relic of a distant past. We must not be misled by the numbers of those who attended the funeral of Pope Francis or who will gather in St. Peter’s Square for the Habemus Papam. These presences are often driven by a certain religious folklore, a desire for “extreme selfies.” Of course, there are those who have followed and will follow these events with genuine faith, but they find themselves navigating in a sea of indifference.
Rome is preparing to welcome its new Bishop—and unfortunately, to forget him the very next day. The Rome of the apostles, saints, and martyrs is now mission territory. Rome must return to the beauty that made her great: her beautiful liturgical ceremonies, her great sacred music. Rome must rediscover her Catholic greatness and become once more that city of destiny to which the whole world and all of history looks.
I hope that the new Pontiff will be able to transform curiosity into true faith, that he will speak of the things that truly matter in the end, that he will proclaim the Gospel message in all its radicality and in full continuity with holy tradition. We must not fear the world—for it is not the Catholic Church that must expect something from the world, but rather the world that waits for something from the Catholic Church.
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Aurelio Porfiri is a composer, conductor, educator and writer. His music is published in Italy, France, United States, Germany and China. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Association Romaeterna Cantores. He has published over 70 books, that include The Catholic Mass (with bishop Athanasius Schneider), When the Harps went Still (with bishop Athanasius Schneider and Guido Milanese), The Right Hand of the Lord is Exalted, Non nova sed noviter.
On September 2025 will debut his online course based on the book The Catholic Massthat he will run together with several guests.
