Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, 76, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina was elected to the papacy today, March 13. Born on December 29, 1936, he speaks Spanish, Italian and German with ease and enjoys opera, according to Edward Cardinal Egan (retired). Reportedly, the new pope was the runner-up choice at the last conclave in 2005.
Cardinal Bergoglio chose the name Francis I just prior to being introduced to the crowd of thousands awaiting his appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. He addressed the well wishers with enthusiasm. The new pope is the first non-European to serve in the papacy in over a millenium, and the first ever from the Americas. He is also the first Jesuit in that office.
The new pope chose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, and is the first pope to bear that name. St. Francis was born wealthy. He put aside his wealth to found the Order of Franciscans. Several years prior to his death, he underwent the painful stigmata to experience the wounds Christ felt on the cross at Golgotha. St. Francis died two years later, was made a saint shortly after his death, and is today the patron saint of Italy. His sainthood is associated with kindness to animals and honoring nature and the earth itself.
The new pope is known for being humble. He embraces Church doctrine with a firm commitment to the poor and to social justice. He leads a simple life, even taking public transportation at times and cooking his own food.
While Archbishop, writing in a document known as the Aparecida Document, a joint statement of the bishops of Latin America, then Cardinal Bergoglio wrote,
We should commit ourselves to ‘eucharistic coherence’, that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments, in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated. This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals.
His papacy comes just in time for the Easter ceremonies at the Vatican. This is a busy time of year and a chance for millions to hear the new pontiff express his views during this solemn period.
Article comments
1 - Baronius
I said before the conclave that each cardinal has a Wikipedia page, with one quote against abortion and one quote in support of care for the poor. The analysis following his election was bound to be "he's a social conservative, but promotes a social justice agenda", because that's true of every cardinal.
That said, I think it's true that Francis is more conscious of humility and poverty. One thing I was curious about: is anyone sure that he took the name in reference to the saint from Assisi? He's a Jesuit, and Francis Xavier was a co-founder of the order.
Now, on another subject, just to be fair, I know that racial neutrality is my hobby horse, and you should always be careful when someone discovers that the key to a news story is his hobby horse. But I think that we can probably stop talking about where a pope was born. It's been a generation since we've had an Italian pope. I think the racial/regional angle is being played up in the press, but has no real meaning for the Church.
2 - Dr Dreadful
Baronius, according to the BBC, Cardinal Bergoglio did choose the name in honour of St Francis of Assisi rather than the founder of his order. The piece doesn't give the source of this information, though.
3 - Baronius
Co-founder. This is actually a thing. The founder of an order is its founder; the co-founders of an order are all people who joined it while the founder was alive. Francis Xavier was there at the creation of the order, though.
Both Francises were well-born but practiced poverty, and sought to convert non-Christians.
4 - Clav
I think the racial/regional angle is being played up in the press, but has no real meaning for the Church.
You could be right, but Latin America, a historically Catholic region, is practically afire with pride over "their" pope.
I find it hard to believe all that enthusiasm won't somehow work to the Church's benefit
5 - pablo
What no mention of his collusion with Argentina's military junta in 1976? You oughta be ashamed of yourself Marseca.
6 - Dr Joseph S Maresca
Material is just starting to come out on this subject. Actually, the Pope during that time period is the person to criticize the military juntas, as well as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and the U.S. State Department. What did they do or say? Soon enough, I'm sure we'll hear from His Holiness Pope Benedict himself.
7 - pablo
Yes and I am sure what his Holiness says will be the truth. :)
8 - Dr Joseph S Maresca
Esquival, the 1980 Peace Nobelist said that
Bergoglio never collaborated with the juntas. The more important issue is what did Secretaries of State Kissinger and Cyrus Vance do. I've read that President Carter offered to take in about 3000 people or more. Apparently, the situation did percolate up to the top of the U.S. government. General Jorge Vidal is currently serving a half century prison term for his role in the junta.