To the editor:
The white smoke at the Vatican earlier in the month followed by the official announcement “Habemus Papam!” (We have a Pope!) was the first dramatic centuries-old pronouncement. The revelation that the new leader of the more than a billion Catholics worldwide is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina drew loud cheers from the estimated 100,000 people in Vatican Square.
Part of the enthusiasm comes from many firsts: first non-European pope in centuries, first from the Americas, first Jesuit, and first to choose the name Francis for his pontificate. This name is befitting the new leader, humble, close to the poor, caring of animals, and ecumenical.
Personally, the fact that the new pope is a Jesuit excites me since I received a degree from a Jesuit-run university, Boston College. The Jesuits are renown not only for their excellence in teaching but also for their courage in effecting change where needed.
High hopes accompany the new pontiff as the Church is reeling from the sex scandal, internal strife at the Vatican, and the feeling among many Catholics that the Church has not adequately dealt with certain issues. Many people already compare him to Pope John XXIII of the 1960s, who brought us Vatican II, which made many changes that made the Church more relevant without compromising its core tenets.
Pope Francis has already ushered in a fresh breeze. He mixes with crowds, he has a great sense of humor, and is totally committed to the poor.
Joy to the world!
Ross Paradis
Frenchville
