Pope Francis

Today is the Inaugural Mass for Pope Francis, who was elected on my birthday- March 13th, 2013 as our 266th pope.

What is know about this man- the Head of the Catholic Church?

1. His name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, his father and his mother's parents were Italian immigrants to Argentina.
2. He was born in Argentina 76 years ago, and so is the first pope from the Western Hemisphere.
3. He is a Jesuit and became a Cardinal in 2001.
4. He has one lung, after one was removed when he was 21 due to infection.
5. He rode the bus and made his own meals in his apartment back in Argentina. The Vatican has got to be giving him culture shock.
6. He is the first Pope to use the name Francis- after St. Francis of Assisi.
7. He is not okay with Abortion, Gay Marriage, or Birth Control- but did anyone really expect a Pope who was?
8. The head of the Orthodox Church will attend the inaugural mass
9. There is controversy over his choice as pope....

Cardinal Bergoglio is accused a not doing enough to rescue two young priests who were kidnapped by the Junta then in charge of Argentina. I have, however, read he may have worked quietly behind the scenes to achieve their release. One of the two priests said they were kidnapped, attributing the cause to being named by a former lay collaborator who left to become a guerrilla, was captured, and named Yorio and Jalics when interrogated. Jalics said in this statement: "I can not comment on the role of P. Bergoglio in these processes"

(Pope Francis, Wikipedia)

After the Dirty War, things are clearer. "His role after he became bishop of Buenos Aires in asking for forgiveness for the church for not having done enough at the time of the dictatorship "is also well-known," Rev. Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman.

This humble man who has served as a voice for the poor has also established a repoire with the leaders of other religions, and has urged stronger relationships between these communities and ours. He is a strong advocate of protecting children from exploitation. His social consciousness has put him on the opposite side of Argentina's government on a number of occasions. I wonder if the events of the Dirty War empower him now to speak out, rather than be silent...

I have high hopes for Pope Francis and his time in the Vatican. God bless you and keep you..