Non-Catholic response to our new Pope, Francis I

[awsiukiewicz]

Welcome home Amen…I did some googling…and I like what I read about our new Pontif…words like humble, Doctrinally conversative, his stand on the key matters are in line…It seems that Pope Francis I was actually just a few votes short for being elected Pope with the last conclave…word is…he asked the Cardinals NOT to vote for him…who knows…but…Habemus Papum eh.? A Jesuit…soldier/warrior…may be time for a little house cleaning…

 

[Marie5890]

T I could feel an awe around him. I do not know much about him but he had this radiance within him that I could not fail to notice. . May the Lord Bless him.

I sensed it too. A peace, a calm, a serenity, a gentleness

And I cried when I heard he chose “Francis”, for whatever reason he chose it.

 

[sojo]

I read the brief bios they are putting out about Pope Francis. He is such a humble man! I am overjoyed for Latin America.

He did look so much more somber on that balcony that our last two Popes did. He looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

It was a beautiful moment when he asked everyone to pray for God’s blessing on him before he gave us his blessing.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

For once I’m overjoyed over this. Of course, Pope John Paul II was already in office when I entered the church, so I only had the election of Pope Benedict XVI to go by. I don’t remember having much feeling about that one. Perhaps a bit of relief, thinking that he would get the church back on the straight and narrow. Maybe I was just expecting too much from the man. But with this one, I’m overjoyed!!!

I admit it’s the other way around for me, ecstatic about Pope Benedict’s election but mixed feelings about this one, mainly because Cardinal Bergoglio had not been on my radar this time around. I remember him vaguely from the discussions of the last conclave, but was not even aware he was voting in this one much less a plausible papabili, and the novel name just added to the surprise. But I am hopeful for the future of the Church.

 

[meltzerboy]

I’m Jewish. He looks like a great pope. He reminds me of Pope John. Congratulations to the Catholic faith!

Pope Francis I has already been compared to Pope John XXIII, although I think you were referring to Pope John Paul II.

From what I’ve heard about him, he is particularly devoted to social justice and the poor, lives humbly in a small apartment rather than the palatial Cardinal residence, is of Italian descent, and takes a traditional doctrinal line on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and homosexual behavior. Most surprisingly, to me, he is a Jesuit. Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of New York, knows Pope Francis I personally and states that he is a wise choice due to his humility, strength, intelligence, and clarity of thought. We’ll have to wait and see what enfolds.

 

[Marie5890]

I felt the same thing. There is something very special about this man. The fact that he chose “Francis” as his name speaks volumes. Francis renewed the Church in his time and I pray that Pope Francis will do the same. I am thrilled.

It’s important to remember that Francis could also have come from Francis Xavier, SJ

 

[atheistgirl]

I’m absolutely stunned there’s never been a Pope called Francis before now

I like him - just an instinct.

I think he looks like a lovely, kind, intelligent man.

I hope all my Catholic friends have had their anxiety over these past weeks put to rest, and Pope Francis will do what’s needed to help their Church flourish.

I wish him well.

Sarah x

 

[Aelred_Minor]

His personal history and the simple prayer he led from the loggia also make me think of Pope John XXIII’s personality.

 

[mangy_dog]

HABEMUS PAPAM

Pope Francesco

 

[Aelred_Minor]

It’s important to remember that Francis could also have come from Francis Xavier, SJ

Good point. Of course there could be multiple references, like how Pope Benedict XVI said his name referred back to Pope Benedict XV and to St. Benedict of Nursia.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

I’m absolutely stunned there’s never been a Pope called Francis before now

I like him - just an instinct.

I think he looks like a lovely, kind, intelligent man.

I hope all my Catholic friends have had their anxiety over these past weeks put to rest, and Pope Francis will do what’s needed to help their Church flourish.

I wish him well.

Sarah x

Papal names are usually Biblical and/or ancient Roman names. Francis (Francesco) is neither, apparently having come into existence as a nickname for the man we know as St. Francis of Assisi, whose real name was John and whose nickname meant something like “Frenchy”. This was in the thirteenth century, when Popes were already taking regal names from among the names of their predecessors, the only previous exception in centuries being Pope John Paul I, whose name referred to John XXIII and Paul IV together. This is, I believe, the first time in history that a Pope has taken a new regal name that is not in any way drawn from the names of the Popes who came before him.

 

[SteveVH]

It’s important to remember that Francis could also have come from Francis Xavier, SJ

Then wouldn’t his name be Pope Francis Xavier, I? I can’t imagine that if this was the case that he wouldn’t distiguish between Francis of Assissi and Francis Xavier.

 

[Marie5890]

Then wouldn’t his name be Pope Francis Xavier, I? I can’t imagine that if this was the case that he wouldn’t distiguish between Francis of Assissi and Francis Xavier.

It could be both of them, not just one or the other.

 

[SteveVH]

It could be both of them, not just one or the other.

Okay.

 

[JustaServant]

He’s also a Jesuit.
That should drive the fundies nuts.

 

[hn160]

I watched the announcement, he seems to be a likable person. I pray that he will be a conserative leader that the Catholic Church needs.

 

[twoshoes]

I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinal electors to choose one who will be a faithful voice for Christianity – not only for Catholics but for all who confess Christ as Lord.

That Pator Gary is a blessed Christian Prayer, God Bless you.

 

[GKC]

I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the cardinal electors to choose one who will be a faithful voice for Christianity – not only for Catholics but for all who confess Christ as Lord.

I’ll buy that.

GKC

 

[AbideWithMe]

I sensed it too. A peace, a calm, a serenity, a gentleness

And I cried when I heard he chose “Francis”, for whatever reason he chose it.

It’s important to remember that Francis could also have come from Francis Xavier, SJ

Good point. Of course there could be multiple references, like how Pope Benedict XVI said his name referred back to Pope Benedict XV and to St. Benedict of Nursia.

I like his choice for a name. According to an Argentine priest named Eduardo Mangiarotti, it does indeed refer to St. Francis of Assisi.

 

[gamewell45]

I wish Pope Francis I all the best as the new Pope.