With the words "Habenus papam !"(We have a pope !) Roman Catholics were introduced to their new leader, the 266th Roman Pontiff. He is 76 year old Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aries. He will be known as Pope Francis. Bergoglio is the Buenos Aries born son of middle class Italian immigrants. He is the first Latin American born pope, the first Jesuit, and the first to choose the name "Francis".
He has a reputation for humility having denied himself luxuries previous Buenos Aries cardinals enjoyed. He lived in a one room apartment in Buenos Aries, often cooked his own meals, and took the bus to get around town. He is also described as loving with a special love for the poor and marginalized. He is also spiritual and capable. He considers social outreach, rather than doctrinal battles, to be the essential business of the Church. As a cardinal he worked to repair the reputation of the church which was losing many followers by failing to speak out openly to challenge Argentina's murderous 1976 - 83 dictatorship.
In choosing the name "Francis" he brings to mind 13th century Francis of Assisi who loved the poor and saw his calling as trying to rebuild the Chuirch in a time of turmoil. A well respected blog that follows Vatican affairs called "Whispers in the Loggia" has this to say, "By choosing the name (Francis) of the founder of his community's traditional rivals, the 266th Roman Pontiff has signaled three things: his desire to be a force of unity in a polarized fold, a heart for the poor, and his intent to "repair" God's house, which has fallen into ruins (that is to rebuild the Church).
Well, I thought about that......and here's what I think. God Bless Pope Francis. I think this time we got it right. He will be the one to lead the Church in the 21st century. May he have a long and glorious pontificate.
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