Pray for the new Pope

Like many in our world, I am surprised at the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, as the new Pope: a Jesuit, from Argentina, who is taking the name of perhaps the hardest saint there could be to emulate: Francis.

The Holy Spirit has surprised the world once again. No one from a religious order has ever been pope. No one from Americas. Until now.

I believe there is hope in his election for not just the Roman Catholic Church, and not just Christianity, but for the world.

And he has a gentle smile.

Please pray for the new pope, that he will be an instrument of unity, and not division; that he will challenge us to care for the poor and wounded in the world; that he will help heal the wounds of many created by the Catholic church, by all churches and all religions in this world; that he will find his way to change an institution seemingly impervious to change and that he will be open to long overdue reforms; and may he preach with courage and faith the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

On a personal note, all of my spiritual directors have been Jesuits, and I am much shaped by their spirituality, intellect, simplicity, commitment to the poor and social justice. To have a Jesuit pope is truly uncharted territory and remarkable.

And I liked his touch. "I'll see you soon," he said before departing the papal balcony.

Here is a link to an objective-sounding profile of Cardinal Bergolio from the National Catholic Reporter: HERE.

By James Richardson, Fiat Lux

The next Pope? How about a nun?

I have several friends who are Catholic nuns. While the speculation is running rampant about where the next Pope will be from (Europe? Asia? Africa? The Americas?), the nuns I know are a little more jaded on this topic.

The male hierarchy have been bested by the sisters in recent years on issues like health care and advocacy for the poor. The men have been pushing back on the nuns of late. But the sisters are a resilient bunch. One them put this cartoon on her Facebook this morning.