Geppetto: A Spe Salvi Disney Pilgrim Of Hope Who We Can Look Up To

In the world of literature and fairy tales, the character of Geppetto in Pinocchio stands as a symbol of deep-seated hope, love, and perseverance. In Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, Geppetto, the kind-hearted and humble carpenter creates a wooden puppet who comes to life, becoming his beloved son. His journey through personal sacrifice and hardship showcases the depth of human hope, particularly through his unwavering faith in the possibility of redemption and transformation. Geppetto’s hope can be viewed as a powerful reflection of the Christian concept of Spe Salvi - being “saved in hope” as discussed in Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical with the same title.

Before examining Geppetto's hope in connection with Spe Salvi, it is critical to understand the concept's theological foundation. Spe Salvi, which means "saved in hope" in Latin, is derived from the idea that, according to Christian theology, hope is an essential and redemptive virtue. According to St. Paul in the New Testament, "For in hope we were saved" (Romans 8:24), salvation is a reality that looks forward rather than merely being an occurrence that happened in the past or present. Christians look forward to God's promises being fulfilled through the lens of hope, believing that the Kingdom of God will eventually come to pass.

In his 2007 encyclical Spe Salvi, Pope Benedict XVI goes into further detail about this. The encyclical emphasizes that hope is a strong faith in God's providence and the conviction that, in spite of hardship and adversity, God's ultimate plan for humanity is one of salvation. Hope is not only a wish or want: therefore, Christian hope is closely related to the concept of redemption - it is the act of believing in God's promises of restoration and renewal, not just for the world but also for every single soul.

Geppetto’s hope, in many ways mirrors this Christian understanding of hope. His journey is marked by his belief in the transformative power of love - a belief that sustains him throughout moments of despair. He believes that against all odds his wooden puppet can be something more - something with a human touch, capable of love, understanding, and growth. Geppetto's hope is an act of faith that points beyond the material world to a reality that is yet to come, much like the Christian hope of salvation.

Geppetto’s pilgrimage of hope begins with the creation of Pinocchio. He is a poor and lonely carpenter but he possesses a boundless love and a desire for companionship. As Geppetto carves the puppet wishing that the inanimate object will somehow come to life. It is in this moment of creation that Geppetto’s hope becomes manifest. Just as in the Christian tradition where God creates humanity out of love, Geppetto’s act of creation is driven by love.

When Pinocchio begins his journey, he is far from the ideal son. He is disobedient, prone to mischief, and unaware of the consequences of his actions. Nonetheless, Geppetto’s hope does not waver. Even when Pinocchio’s behavior leads him into danger, Geppetto continues hoping that his creation can change. His hope is not conditional upon Pinocchio’s immediate success but is rooted in an enduring belief that the puppet, just like a human soul can grow, learn, and be redeemed.

This shows how Spe Salvi defines hope in a Christian context. Pope Benedict XVI talked about maintaining optimism even when things are difficult and unsuccessful. He states that "The one who hopes is not disappointed, because the power of hope is the power of the living God, who calls into existence what does not yet exist" (Spe Salvi, p.7). This hope can be seen in Geppetto's persistent faith in Pinocchio's ability to change. Geppetto's belief in the potential for his son's salvation keeps him going even when Pinocchio's actions appear to break all expectations.

Geppetto’s journey is also one of suffering, similar to the journey every Christian goes on in order to follow Christ. In the encyclical Spe Salvi, Pope Benedict noted that hope does not erase suffering, rather it gives meaning to it. He wrote, “To endure the suffering of the present time, with the hope of the future glory, is the foundation of Christian life” (Spe Salvi, 37).

Due to his love for Pinocchio, Geppetto endures much suffering. After coming to life, the puppet starts making poor life choices, leaving Geppetto to face the consequences. He sacrifices his own well-being, he faces the hardship of the sea, and he even gets swallowed by a giant fish - all this in his relentless pursuit of Pinocchio. His suffering is not without purpose - the suffering deepened the he has love for his creation, and his hope grows even more stronger.

Suffering is never viewed as pointless in Christian theology. The same way that Christ's suffering and death on the cross served a salvific purpose, Geppetto's suffering serves as a test and purification for his love and hope. His suffering, which from a material standpoint could appear pointless or excessive, turns out to be an essential component of the process of redemption. The Christian view of the redemptive nature of suffering is parallel to Geppetto's suffering. Geppetto's hope, which eventually results in Pinocchio becoming a real boy, is no longer merely an ideal but a living reality thanks to his sacrifices.

This transformation is not magical - it is a culmination of a long process of hope, growth, and redemption. Geppetto’s hope has been realized because he reminded steadfast in the belief he has in his new creation - one that is whole and capable of love. The transformation is a powerful symbol of the Christian hope of salvation. Just as Geppetto’s dream is realized through perseverance, love, and suffering, the Christian hope in the resurrection and the ultimate redemption of humanity is realized in the same way.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote that “the hope that does not disappoint, is grounded in God’s promises, which will be fulfilled even if they seem distant or uncertain in the present moment." Geppetto’s realization that Pinocchio has become a real boy reflects the deeper truth - hope does not bring immediate results but those who persist in faith are assured that they will harvest the fruits that hope bears.

Geppetto’s hope, as depicted in The Adventures of Pinocchio, serves as a profound example of how we can be pilgrims of hope as described in Spe Salvi. His unshakable belief in the transformation of his wooden puppet into a real boy reflects the theological understanding of hope as trusting in the promises of God, even when one is suffering and facing hardships. Geppetto's journey is one of patience, sacrifice, and unrelenting love - qualities that every pilgrim of hope ought to possess. His hope, tested and refined by suffering, ultimately brings about redemption, both for Pinocchio and himself. Geppetto’s story serves as a powerful parable of Spe Salvi, showing how hope renews, saves, and brings about transformation.