WE WELCOME A NEW POPE
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanHe is a humble man, an independent thinker with a simplistic attitude and a caring heart.
Jorge Bergoglio, the 76 year-old Argentinian Cardinal, began a new chapter in his life as he was appointed to be the new Pope on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
Taking the name Francis because of his great respect and admiration for St. Francis of Assisi, a great patron of saints, the Pope will dedicate his life now to his church and to his people.
Pope Francis made history when he stepped out on the balcony of the Vatican to greet the world’s Catholics, those that he plans to serve. He becomes the first non-European pope of our time and first on many accounts. He is the first from Latin America, the first Jesuit, the first to take the name Francis. It somewhat signifies rebuilding of the Catholic Church.
Once the white smoke appeared billowing from the smokestack of the Sistine Chapel, cheers and celebration were seen in St. Peter’s Square for miles and miles. Viewers had assembled from across the world to watch history be made and representation came from countries across the globe.
The new pope broke tradition by asking the crowd to pray for him before he blessed them. Breathing a sense of normality into his followers, he refused to use the platform that would elevate him above the other cardinals who stood next to him upon his introduction in this new role. It has been said that when Benedict XVI was chosen, Bergoglio was the runner-up choice.
Pope Francis has a large and complex task ahead of him with the church being the center of sexual abuse and scandals in the news over the past couple of years. He is a follower of the church’s most social conservative wing but still sets his own path. His beliefs may cause controversy as he is against gay marriage and the free distribution of contraceptives. Pope Francis is the voice of the poor. He will strive to promote peace and social justice for all. He has a mesmerizing conviction that makes his followers listen with emotion.
Twitter has been ablaze with word of the good news with approximately 130,000 tweets per minute and close to 2 million tweets by Wednesday afternoon.
Many congratulations have been sent from countries with deep and abiding respect for our new pope. President Obama had the following wishes for Pope Francis:
“On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy. As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years—that in each other we see the face of God. As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day. Just as I appreciated our work with Pope Benedict XVI, I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church in our modern world”.
This was followed by congratulations from Vice President Joe Biden:
“Jill and I want to offer our congratulations to His Holiness Pope Francis, and extend our prayers as he takes on this holy responsibility. I am happy to have the chance to personally relay my well wishes, and those of the American people, when I travel to Rome for his Inaugural Mass. The Catholic Church plays an essential role in my life and the lives of more than a billion people in America and around the world, not just in matters of our faith, but in pursuit of peace and human dignity for all faiths. I look forward to our work together in the coming years on many important issues.”
This coming Sunday, Pope Francis will deliver the traditional Angelus blessings from the Vatican for the very first time. At a mass on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, the Pope’s formal installation will be performed. President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to lead the Presidential Delegation for the United States at the Inauguration Mass.
The world rejoices in this historic and blessed event.
PHOTO CREDITS: Getty Images
