White smoke! We have a new Pope!

[Buckalew11]

Anyone else feel kind of let down? My DS (who is gifted) really wanted to be Pope. I tried telling him being Jewish may disqualify him, but I really hate letting him down bc he is so gifted. I guess I will put on my Rainbow Bright T-Shirt he got me for Father's Day last year to cheer him up.

Is there someone I can write to about this?

Tell your son that he is Jewish and they are "God's Chosen people" so he does not get to be Pope too. Geez...talk about entitlement.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Definitely, with the name Francis - the most humble saint in the Catholic church. And as a priest and Cardinal, Pope Francis often spoke about poverty and human rights. This is a very encouraging choice!

I am copying this from Anne Rice's facebook status but it explains the significance of choosing the name Fransis.

But which Francis? There's more than one, including a Jesuit known for his missionary work and conversion of folks in the Far East.

Cliff's Notes version: It's an order within the Catholic church that emphasizes education, human rights, and missionary work. Within the Catholic church they are relatively far left. (Even JPII, he of Solidarnosc, thought the Jesuits were too far to the left.) In Latin America they are somewhat political. Really exciting!

Yes, they have some liberal theologians, but they also are Opus Dei. Who knows what this selection will bring.

 

[Caradana]

He was under the radar! I like him as a pick, with the info I know so far!

 

[LuvinLucifer]

Yes, they have some liberal theologians, but they also are Opus Dei. Who knows what this selection will bring.

He's opposed to liberation theology, so I doubt he's one of the more liberal ones.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Yes, they have some liberal theologians, but they also are Opus Dei. Who knows what this selection will bring.

Are you saying the Jesuits are Opus Dei?

 

[TLSnell1981]

Viva il Papa!!

 

[gina2000]

Jesuits are the most liberal of the Catholic priesthood sects. They are also quite political - and were known for their missionary calling - spreading the word trying to convert people to Cathlocism.

I was educated by the Jesuits. They are theological free thinkers and great educators. To me, they always had their fingers on the social pulse of my univeristy.

I just wish this Pope were younger. After the resignation, I would have thought that the papal conclave would have taken that into consideration.

 

[JaneBanks]

I have a feeling that they elected Pope Francis to serve as a bridge to the next Pope being more progressive.

 

[Caradana]

Jesuits are the most liberal of the Catholic priesthood sects. They are also quite political - and were known for their missionary calling - spreading the word trying to convert people to Cathlocism.

I was educated by the Jesuits. They are theological free thinkers and great educators. To me, they always had their fingers on the social pulse of my univeristy.

I just wish this Pope were younger. After the resignation, I would have thought that the papal conclave would have taken that into consideration.

Agreed! Jesuit is my favorite aspect of this selection.

 

[shortbun]

Facinating process. Everyone in Rome seemed happy. I'm glad it didn't take too long. I've always found Jesuits interesting, peaceful and thoughtful.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

One of the news commentators had speculated, before the new Pope was announced, that he thought Jorge Mario was the perfect selection because he was older. He would come in and basically clean house and get everything back on track, and then they'd bring in a younger Pope next. He's basically being seen (at least by this commentator) as an interim Pope.

 

[LuvinLucifer]

Every source I can find describes the new pope as conservative:

Susan Ross chairs Loyola University of Chicago's theology department. She says Pope Francis is a theological conservative who is unlikely to institute any changes advocated by U.S. Catholics. The new pope is a Jesuit and Loyola is a Jesuit university.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...ola-theologian-says-Pope-Francis-conservative

Not all Jesuits(especially outside North America) are liberal.

 

[LSmith]

By all accounts that I have read, the new pope is against birth control and gay rights. Certainly not progressive nor liberal. Definitely not surprising.

 

[DopeyDame]

Every source I can find describes the new pope as conservative:



http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...ola-theologian-says-Pope-Francis-conservative

Not all Jesuits(especially outside North America) are liberal.

Absolutely true. I also think it's not helpful to discuss "liberal" and "conservative" in this context, because the lines are just SO different within the church than within the US. There's no Cardinal (and very, very, very few priests) who will be OK with abortion, contraception, or married priests. So if that's the "liberal" people are thinking about when describing the new Pope, they're going to be unhappy. I think it's those traits that give Pope Francis (and really any other would-be-Pope) the "conservative" label in this context. In social justice and economic justice, I suspect Pope Francis is very "liberal" in a way that will make some US Catholics equally unhappy (or at least uncomfortable). I read somewhere today (forget where, it all blended together) describing him as to the right of the tea party on social issues and to the left of socialism on economic issues.

 

[Wishing on a star]

" WE have a new pope "

I just want to make sure that I am excluded from any use of the word 'we'.

 

[Caradana]

By all accounts that I have read, the new pope is against birth control and gay rights. Certainly not progressive nor liberal. Definitely not surprising.

They're all against birth control and gay rights. You dont become a cardinal by speaking out against the doctrine of the faith. This was however the man who washed and kissed the feet of AIDS patients, and spends time in the slums. I think he will surprise many.

 

[happygirl]

" WE have a new pope "

I just want to make sure that I am excluded from any use of the word 'we'.

Glad you let US know that

 

[gina2000]

" WE have a new pope "

I just want to make sure that I am excluded from any use of the word 'we'.

Duly noted.

And I'm sure many wouldn't expect anything less.

 

[DopeyDame]

" WE have a new pope "

I just want to make sure that I am excluded from any use of the word 'we'.

Are you Catholic?
If not, I don't suspect anyone is going to get confused and think you're going to start following the latest Church encyclical anytime soon. I don't think there's any formal document you have to sign to exclude yourself. Just avoid inadvertantly getting confirmed by your local Bishop, and you should be safe.

 

[LSmith]

They're all against birth control and gay rights. You dont become a cardinal by speaking out against the doctrine of the faith. This was however the man who washed and kissed the feet of AIDS patients, and spends time in the slums. I think he will surprise many.

I was responding to some previous posters that said they were hoping that he was a progressive pope.

Please don't try to teach me Catholicism. I am well aware.

There will be no surprises with this pope.