POPEOLOGY 101: A New Pope

Not being a catholic, I found these articles in the news recently fascinating reading:

http://world.time.com/2013/03/12/popeology-101-how-to-interpret-the-sistine-chapel-results/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57574147/jorge-bergoglio-who-is-the-new-pope/

Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope Wednesday, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium!

The event is a cause of immense celebration amongst the people from there, particularly from Argentina, where he heralds from. An austere, low profile, back bencher amngst bishops, a very humble man, once elected, he went back to the church hostel, packed his bags himself, insisted that he pay his bill as he checked out, declined the official Popemobile (a Mercedes) and took a humble ride on a bus with the other cardinals to the Vatican as a newly elected Pope! Amazing isn't it!

Some interesting facts about him:

He is Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the former archbishop of Buenos Aires elected as the 266th Pope.

----He is the first pope from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than 1,000 years.
--Son of an Italian Railway worker, born in Buenos Aires. He speaks Spanish, Italian and German.
--A Pope with only one lung. The other removed when he was a teenager due to an infection.
--trained as a chemist, Bergoglio taught literature, psychology, philosophy and theology.
--He rides a bus to work, wears an ordinary priest's robe and lives with an older priest in a simple apartment where he cooks his own meals, rather than live at the luxurious residence he was entitled to as Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
--he has been outspoken against abortion and same-sex marriages, according to the Catholic News Service.
--He is the first Jesuit to be named a pope.
--He has chosen the name Francis -- the first time in papal history that name has been used.

Welcome to the 2000 year old PAPALCY, POPE FRANCIS and all the Best, from a non-Catholic. Hope you not only preach Love and faith, but also Peace, to the World's most troubled areas. Love to hear everyone's views.

He seems pretty awesome apart from the "against abortion and same sex marriage thing."

He is a moderate conservative with a very shady past (do the research). I think he has more going for him than Ratzinger, but that isn't saying much.

I don't expect anything special from him by way of reform but at least he appears to be a fan of science and modest living.

The irony is they're always so hard against homosexuality of others
but soft to child molestation of themselves!!

Why did the prior one quit his place?

-

oh , it's cool that he's from outside Europe.

Quit while you're ahead man...religion or politics..it's all the same...old Benidict is/was a politician and...a wise one at the end...piss off while the ball is in the goal space!

The shit was about to hit the fan!

I thought that was what great singers/directors do.

Not sure what you mean LP?...singers? Directors? We can walk away from them if we choose....they are not religious based?

The new Popes fine, it's people that have got to change..

Purple Pants..

You said 'piss off while the ball ...'

I don't see that related to religious figures .... :p
I know that what you said is related only to singers and directors; when they reach their climax of giving, they should back off not to fall down.

I really don't care about the Pope(s), since I'm not Catholic. But, I think he's very humble, and that's refreshing to see. Religious figures tend to become celebrities instead of people who are supposed to have a humble persona and who try to make a difference.

I just watched the Jodi Arias trial instead. :p

I'm Catholic and I was really excited to learn about the new pope, we were actually taking a test when the white smoke came out but we couldn't watch the live coverage or when he stepped out to speak to the people on the balcony until after school let out.

We talked a lot about Pope Francis in my ecumenism class as well as Spanish class the past few days. This is just what I know so far but I'd love to do more research and I know I have to in order to gain more insight. It's the first time in hundreds of years that a pope has been elected outside of Europe. He's from Argentina and a Jesuit, which we learned today are a lot more open to not changing principles of the Church, but talking and discussing with different Christians about social issues that's easy to just close ourselves too. I don't think in a thousand years anything will change about the Church's teaching on homosexual marriage, that is the Church's foundation on the sanctity of marriage and it would be like the Church taking a stance that women can be ordained. I really appreciate that he is Jesuit as well because as we talked about in class today, as Catholics it's really easy to label people as being not a good enough Catholic for questioning or challenging the Church....but the Jesuits are known for not shutting down an issue, but being open at least, which doesn't mean anything will change, it's just getting to understand the different views that are so widespread in the world. So many issues aren't just black and white but grey, and I think a lot could be addressed about what society is doing vs. if it's our concern as Catholics like contraception and civil rights with homosexual marriage....

I think it needs to be more clear that the Church doesn't condemn the person but the sin, that it is perfectly acceptable according to the catechism to have homosexual attraction but to act on it in sexual intercourse is what is sinful. I feel a lot of people feel put out by the Church and if the Pope could make it more clear that the Church is not hating on homosexuals at all, it would bring people closer in understanding.

From what I know so far, he connects and emotes more with the people whereas Pope Benedict was seen as an intellectual man who studied books and used the written word more frequently than speech.

I also think he's known for his humility as Linda said ....just from what I've seen and heard, he also takes the bus ride home and cooks for himself in his own apartment. As a Jesuit he also took up a vow of poverty.... I definitely think maybe this will bring more people closer into communion with religion and faith since people might see him living out that example of humility and simplicity in living. Just my opinion though :]
(Thanks A lonely soul for posting this & all the facts, it's really neat!)

Pope Benedict resigned, 85 years old, saying "I did this in full liberty for the good of the Church." He also said God had told him to devote himself to prayer. I personally think it was his frailty and that he accepted that and knew it was his time to step down if that was God's plan.

I think it was noble of him, I'm sure people might think here and there what is the real meaning of it, was there some kind of scandal, but all I think is that he was an honest man who didn't care about power in his position but about serving his flock....and he believed he couldn't give all for his flock at the time.

Well said Maryanne. A good man, one who works for the people, whatever the faith, will always gain worldwide recognition. In this case he caught my eye right away because of his non-chalant low profile, an unusual flair for simplicity when appointed to the highest post in Catholicism. I wish him the best. Ascetism in character and freedom to accept criticism in religion (free speech) will always give a person recognition and acceptance.
In many religions across the World, renunciation of worldly needs (money/riches, power, s**) and personal desires over service, is what makes these people respected the world over.
I might belong to a different religion, but I respect "good" teachings from every faith or holy book. The rest is all up to us to find peace and enlightment within us. God (within) and goodness exists in everyone, is what they say, just takes an enlightened soul to guide us to find it within ourselves.
Re: recognition of women or homosexuals by the church, perhaps one day this will happen.
---------------------------------
A qn came to my mind, why are all the Archbishops and bishops male? so a search led me to this comment at the bottom of a Fox news article about women protesting this very issue in Sarasota, FL a few days ago.

"Tom Walsh.. Top Commenter
This "argument" has been going on since Pope Pius XII and probably back before that. Jesus had 12 disciples and they were all men. Even when He was betrayed by Judas, the replacement was male. "

What do you folks make out of this.
Why I ask....the most loving care provided in a charity hospital or a sanctuary abroad is generally by nuns, who serve the sick, poor or needy. One of the most memorable examples was of Mother Teresa.