On April 21, the message of Pope Francis, who passed away, reached homes.
The 7th episode of tvN's 'Useless Earth Trivia: Mediterranean', which aired on the 12th, covered everything about the Vatican. Before the broadcast, this episode drew attention due to the passing of Pope Francis and the selection of a new pope, and with density and depth beyond expectations, it highlighted the Vatican's history, spirit, and cultural symbolism, leaving a profound emotional impact by sharing Pope Francis's 'last lesson,' dedicated to the vulnerable from the lowest places.
In the 7th episode of tvN's 'Useless Earth Trivia: Mediterranean' (directed by Kim Ji-in, henceforth referred to as 'Useless Earth Trivia: Mediterranean'), we visited symbolic places in the Vatican that are deeply infused with history, beliefs, and traces of everyday life, accompanied by Cardinal Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik. We explored the pope's residence, which occupies more than half of the Vatican City's area, the Vatican train station, which is no longer in operation but holds special significance simply by existing, as well as a supermarket, pharmacy, duty-free shop responsible for the everyday lives of Vatican citizens, and at the edge of a garden filled with statues of the Virgin Mary from various countries, we saw a Korean Virgin Mary statue dressed in a hanbok. Through these small yet meaningful places, we could feel the beliefs and identity of the Vatican more vividly.
Notably, the meeting with Cardinal Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik, a former Vatican lawyer, was highlighted. As Korea's fourth cardinal and the first Korean cleric to be appointed as a Minister in the Vatican, he was called to the Vatican at the direct request of Pope Francis. The pope asked him to "make the Vatican a family atmosphere like your smiling face," and indeed, Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik brightened the atmosphere of the Vatican with that warm demeanor.
The introduction to over 2,000 years of diplomatic history in the Vatican was also impressive. The papacy, which began with Apostle Peter in the first century, has left countless diplomatic documents and letters through the vicissitudes of time. Records, including letters sent by President Lincoln and papal letters delivered to the Goryeo king around 1333, are preserved in the Vatican Apostolic Library. This library, which contains all forms of knowledge such as theology, philosophy, music, art, and law, has played a role as an intellectual neural network of human civilization beyond being just an archive for ancient documents.
When Han Dong-il entered the core space of the library, the ‘Sistine Chapel’, where public access is restricted, the overwhelming scenery was truly breathtaking. The Renaissance-style frescoes that fill the space stretching 120 meters, along with the Codex Vaticanus, the oldest existing manuscript of the Bible created in the 4th century, evoked awe at the depth of time and intellectual assets possessed by this place.
The statue of Michelangelo's Pietà in the Vatican Museum stirred countless emotions. Observing this work, which captures Mary's sorrow as she cradles the dead Jesus, Ahn Hee-yeon was overcome. 'It's not because the sculpture is exquisite, but the story beyond what is visible is important,' she began, and in the face of such profound sorrow that the term 'trenches' arose, she reflected, 'I began to ponder how I have dealt with this death.' The contemplation of parental loss experienced by those who have lost a child and the societal gaze surrounding that loss conveyed the message of compassion and love that the Pietà delivers all the more deeply.
This broadcast also served as a time to fully revisit the life of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Elected in 2013 as the first pope from outside Europe in the history of the papacy, he dedicated his life to caring for the poor from humble positions. An anecdote about him washing the feet of AIDS patients was representative. It was a moment to truly feel why he is still remembered as 'the most human pope.'
In response, Han Dong-il expressed, "Thank you for enduring until the end with your ailing body. This has been a great lesson for us, as well as great hope and comfort." Hearing those words, Ahn Hee-yeon finally burst into tears, and she engraved deeper the pope’s message conveyed through his life, 'Reflect upon your last moments by observing my end.' His attitude of not letting go of encounters with people until the very last moment of his life was, in itself, a complete combustion of life and the 'last lesson' he left for all of humanity. 'Useless Earth Trivia: Mediterranean' airs every Monday night at 10:10.
[Photo] Provided
[OSEN]