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Argentine Jorge Bergoglio elected Pope Francis

38 Comments
By NICOLE WINFIELD

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38 Comments
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I wish him all the best.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Meet the new boss.. same as the old boss. Ole Ole Ole

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

I feel the Catholic Church has made a fatal error, electing an aging, staunch conservative once again. At least they went outside of Italy and Europe, but, they had a real chance to elect a younger more theologically open minded pontiff, who could lead the church in these troubled times. Wish him the best of luck, though.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Time will tell if the cardinals chose well. Hopefully he lives up to his namesake St. Francis of Assisi and truly serves as a channel of peace and understanding. I wish him all the best!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I feel the Catholic Church has made a fatal error, electing an aging, staunch conservative once again. At least they went outside of Italy and Europe, but, they had a real chance to elect a younger more theologically open minded pontiff, who could lead the church in these troubled times. Wish him the best of luck, though.

The Catholic religion IS a conservative religion, on the aging, I agree, but on the other issues, I think society can be open to many changes, but there needs to be strong grounding and many people in society lost their ways. I'm not Catholic, but I think to have some conservatism in society with all the craziness in this world, it's probably a good thing, IMO.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Welcome Pope Francis. A Jesuit Pope at last.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Anyway, I wish him the best and at least, they have have elected a Pope from America, that's something new and that in itself a huge change. That gives hope to possibly having an Asian or African Pope one day, that is a huge progress.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Looks like paper beat rock.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

When and why did they start taking 'new' names? What would be wrong with 'Pope Jorge'?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

While Dennis Rodman continued his world tour in Rome campaigning for an African pope...maybe that is why it didn't happen. Anyway, there have already been Asian (Middle Eastern) and (North) African popes more than a millennium ago - beyond progress in racial terms, another African would bring an ultra conservative Catholicism to the position.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@cleo

Taking regnant names has been a norm in the Church for almost its entire history, although there is no ibligation to do so. Considering how the Church claims apostolic succession from Peter the Apostle, it is considered good to connect oneself to the early days of the Church; first to the Apostles (-Peter, no pope would take that name out of deference), the the Fathers and Doctors of the Church (those who laid out the theology and tradition of the Church). Then there are other names that had special meaning to those who chose them.

Blessings to Pope Francis!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The Catholic Church is again hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons as more horror stories of child abuse are revealed, the riches of the Vatican ( Francis of Assisi was from a rich family and chose a life lived in poverty ) and in my view the most urgent issue of all, the ban on condoms which contributes to the misery of millions in the form of HIV, need to be addressed if this Church is to be relevant. I don't have much confidence that a man of 76 will have the energy or inclination to make his church better for the world, particularly its poor.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Well... I was voted down yesterday but I was right. Caucasian and South America.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

@Cleo: the first pope who choosed an alias was a man called Mercurius (the greek god), seeing that his birth name was not compatible with the then Roman Church he picked another name to be called by. Now, besides being a tradition it's a sign of humbleness, picking the name of a saint or a biblical names sends a sign of what the pope is intending to do during this pontificade.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I am in touch with many amigos from Argentina, some seem to be happy but most are not, not about this new Pope Jorge (great comment Cleo) but more about how terrible their economy is. Not too sure if this new Pope can do more to get the people work, food, etc...we can try to live on religion but that is not going to fill the bellies of the masses.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Couldn't they find anyone older?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Steven, Lost, thank you. So we can expect the new pope to promote kindness to animals? That's good.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@Cleo: yes, this among other important things. As I read in an Argentinean paper, the symbolism of his name means that he will try to bring the Catholic church to its roots: close to the people. Giving up the materialism and scandals in favor of spiritualism and a simpler life, as Saint Francis did. Of course, this is only symbolism. And as a Christian, but not Catholic, I expect him to accomplish his goals, but I am sceptical.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

about how terrible their economy is. Not too sure if this new Pope can do more to get the people work, food, etc...we can try to live on religion but that is not going to fill the bellies of the masses.

I didn't know the Pope was responsible for the enonomic policies of countries, or for solving their unemployment problems...

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@Elbuda: let's not forget that Argentineans elected TWICE Cristina Kirchner, so they knew what was coming. As the saying goes: every people gets the government it deserves...Please do not expect the Pope to solve the problems the people itself created.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Great news! He is not there as an Argentinian but as Catholic. My best wishes of success in leading the church to a better future!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

As a Roman Catholic, I am happy that the Church finally has a new Pope. I will pray that he will do his best to lead his flock of more than 1.2billion. God bless you, Pope Francis I.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

They go "to the end of the Earth" to find a new pope... They pick a child of Italian immigrants.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

When and why did they start taking 'new' names? What would be wrong with 'Pope Jorge'?

Like in sumo. Using your own name would be arrogance, like lack of deference to the position and the predecessors... Well, something like that. Like those that enter a monastery, they renounce to previous secular life, giving up the name as well.

So we can expect the new pope to promote kindness to animals?

He is not a b-rate actor trying to revive his fame, he doesn't need doing a PETA poster.

I didn't know the Pope was responsible for the enonomic policies of countries

He is managing one big multinational, an influent lobby.

or for solving their unemployment problems...

They do, like you have Unions that have the power to choose new staff. Not only this religion/cult, and that doesn't change the global unemployment rate, they don't create any job (except their own staff) and so do Unions. But for your family that changes it all if the priest of your community can find jobs for everybody of your group... That's the appeal of religions for many people that couldn't care less about spirituality, but they see the network can help them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I feel the Catholic Church has made a fatal error, electing an aging, staunch conservative once again. At least they went outside of Italy and Europe, but, they had a real chance to elect a younger more theologically open minded pontiff, who could lead the church in these troubled times.

MarkX -- I respectfully disagree. I think he is a brilliant choice for the very reasons you state. By picking someone with strong conervative credentials he can possibly move the church in new directions -- albeit in small steps. A more radical pick would have immediately gotten into trouble with the curia in Rome and potentially not been able to accomplish anything. For example, the press here in the U.S. is saying he possibly agrees with the use of condoms for protection from disease. That would be huge in and of itself. I say, give him time.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I feel the Catholic Church has made a fatal error, electing an aging,

That's the positive point. Really people live 100 years now and they past the last 40, idle on a long chair, doing cruises... I hope that I can too be fresh to start a new professional career at 76. I have time to become religious and that lets His Saintliness Francis the time to make the position equal opportunities, so a woman be elected.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

To its credit, the Catholic Church has spoken out against appalling inequality and extreme poverty ( despite its riches ). One of the most effective tools for the alleviation of poverty is the empowerment of women, giving them access to contraception and control over the number of children they have. It's infuriating that an organization with so much influence and potential to do so much good is still tied down in man-made dogma. One poster said that the new pope 'possibly' agrees with the use of condoms as a method to prevent disease. I truly hope he's right ( although it doesn't go far enough ) and we can see a pope which can start the process of the Catholic Church putting people's well-being above dogma.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Until the leadership stops acting beyond the laws of the land(s) and starts handing paedophile priests over to the real authorities for the punishment they deserve, no-one should take them seriously. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

And again, they pick a man whose openness to the entire range of sexuality in the human race (that the Sky Ranger above supposedly loves) is stuck firmly in the Inquisition. Conform and submit. Same as the old boss, unfortunately. Why not allow the men to marry? This would go a long way to the sexual deviance that is rampant.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Wise move on the part of the Catholic church. A man who has a long history working with the poor deserves the Papacy. The truest work of God comes from serving others, not pushing for gay agendas and other government reform. Church should stay out of politics and big institutions. The work of the lord is the job of the Pope. This is a great man of God.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

I am not Catholic, but find this pick inspiring. His Holiness appears to have taken the bus to work as a Cardinal. The pomp and circumstance was utterly fascinating. I find it especially interesting that he chose the name Francis. And that before bestowing his blessing on the masses, he ask for a moment of silence so they (the masses) could offer prayers for him. VIVA LI PAPA !

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

So we can expect the new pope to promote kindness to animals?

He is not a b-rate actor trying to revive his fame, he doesn't need doing a PETA poster.

What does PETA have to do with it? Cleo was referring to St. Francis' legendary affinity to animals. Promoting kindness to animals would be another way to emulate St. Francis.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Congratulations Pope Francis! I pray for you to inspire the world to love each other as Christ loved us.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

He considers social outreach, rather than doctrinal battles, to be the essential business of the church...Catholics are still buzzing over his speech last year accusing fellow church officials of hypocrisy for forgetting that Jesus Christ bathed lepers and ate with prostitutes.

This is good stuff. I don't really care much for the Roman Catholic church, or for Christianity in general though. Now, if only he can rid the world of Catholic priest pedophiles!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Welcome Pope Francis!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

He's a Boca Juniors guy.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

River Plate supporter?!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why would a Jesuit take the name of a Franciscan? This is the St. Francis related to Pope Francis' name http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Xavier St. Francis Xavier also has a connection to Japan.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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