Wow, that is one of the things I wondered: How Argentinians (and the government) taking the news?
Did Francis have a good relationship with President Kirchner?
Well, as I said, this was a COMPLETE surprise. Everybody was expecting a Cardinal Scola, Scherer, Shnoborn, to be said, and suddenly, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Let me describe you my situation: I was with my mother, watching anxiously the TV, and when he said Bergoglio, it was, like, like, like, like. You get me?
We were bewildered! We started shouting throughout the house (although we were just us and my sister watching the same thing with a co-worker on another room) “Es Bergoglio, Bergoglio, Bergoglio, no lo puedo creed! Mamá, es Bergoglio! Esto es impresionante, no, no no, que poco esperado, Bergoglio, es Bergoglio!”. I would remember that till the end of my days.
Francis had a terrible relationship with President Kirchner. A terrible one. Her way of being, as any populist government like Chavez, was to destroy or denigrate any insitution that went against her interests. The fashion was to legalize gay marriage and abortion, and Francis was the ONLY one to stand against them.
Of course, ALL the media (all except 1 persecuted channel are owned by of by friends of the government) tried to link him with a past dictatorship, inventing scandals about him, a complete mediatic movement.
We thought that he wasn’t powerful at the Vatican due to his unablness to stop this fashion. We know that it was impossible, but at Rome it would sound this way.
After that, He was always interested in the well-being of the needed, and he was always so humble. He was coherent with what he said. He travelled in public transport, didn’t like to wear the Cardinal robes. A complete contrast with a leftist populist ultra-corrupt regime leader as Cristina. She talks of the needed, but makes them more poor, yet, the leftist propaganda will always make the needed believe her. Yet, she is able to buy LV clothes, etc. A complete disaster.
Francis was a symbol of the Opposition, when we are lacking a strong one. Our main issue is that the 2 most important opposition parties have the same ideology of this government, so it is impossible to create opposition when leading opposition parties vote the official initiatives at the Congress.
Bergoglio always stood against.
CFK also never went to the Tedeums, or even sabotaged them, tried to stop his masses.
Just as the Conclave begun, groups near to the government stormed the Cathedral of Buenos Aires (Francis “hub”) and occupied it, calling it a “social protest” against subsidy from the City (ruled by only real opposing party, Pro) to Catholic schools.
So yes. For opposition people like us, it is a complete happiness. Every day we endure a different scandal, another bad news, a new assasination, robberies, etc. etc. etc. Yet she continues to be President. So this news, is like the light in darkness. We hope that the political effect this has might be positive (specially to strengthen opposing parties like Pro, my hope).
Instead, for the government, their media apparatus will now try to link him with the previous dictatorship, of being involved in disappearing people, etc. Yet, that is made by cabinet members, social groups leaders, thugs, union leaders, etc. CFK will obviously try to be cordial, yet distant. Her letter to Francis was a shame. Like if she doesn’t care.
She knows Bergoglio is an enemy to her. Yet, we are uncertain if she will try to look close to him, or denigrate him. Tough choice for the government.
So yes. I am extremely happy. Especially when I remember the time when I wrote this post, that I invite you to read.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=759140
The contrast since then is incredible.
God bless you my brothers!
