Cardinal Bergoglio Is the 267th Successor of St. Peter 1st South American, 1st Jesuit, and 1st to Take Name Francis
VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - The bells of St. Peter's started ringing and the crowds began cheering just moments after 7 p.m. local time, as white smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicated "Habemus Papam." We have a Pope! Just over an hour later, the 267th Successor of St. Peter has been announced by the senior cardinal deacon: It is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, who had been serving as the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He takes the name Francis. The crowds in St. Peter's Square near immediately began chanting "Francesco" as they await his arrival on the central balcony for his first "urbi et orbi" blessing. Pope Francis' 1st Words VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - Here is a translation of the brief greeting Pope Francis gave from the central balcony of St. Peter's Square following his election as the Successor of St. Peter. * * * Brothers and sisters, good evening! You know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems as though my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are. I thank you for your welcome. The diocesan community of Rome has a bishop. Thank you! Before all else, I would like to say a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him, that the Lord may bless him and that Our Lady may watch over him … [Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory be] And now let us begin this journey, [together] as bishop and people. This journey of the Church of Rome, which is to preside over all the Churches in charity. It is a journey of fraternity, of love, of trust between us. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the world, so that a great brotherhood may be created. I hope that this journey of the Church, which we begin today and in which my Cardinal Vicar who is present here will assist me, will be fruitful for the Evangelization of this beautiful city. And now I would like to give you my blessing. But before I do, I would like to ask you a favor: before the bishop blesses the people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that He bless me…. the prayer of the people for a blessing upon their bishop. Let us take a moment of silence for you to offer your prayer for me.” [Silence … the Holy Father bows] [Cardinal N. says … “The Holy Father, Francesco …”] “Now I will give you my blessing and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.” [Pope’s blessing] Brothers and Sisters, I leave you now. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me. And we’ll see one another again soon. Tomorrow I want to go and pray to Our Lady, asking her to watch over Rome. Good night and have a good rest. Francis Has Spoken With Pope Emeritus And Journalists to Be Among First to Have Papal Audience VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - According to the director of the Vatican press office, Pope Francis has spoken with his predecessor and they hope to meet in the coming days. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi briefed journalists within an hour after Francis gave his first apostolic blessing to the faithful. Among the information given by Father Lombardi was the news that the Pope had spoken with Benedict XVI and that the two hope to meet in the next few days. Fr. Lombardi also announced that Francis will meet with the cardinals (electors and non-electors) on Friday morning. The next day, Saturday morning, he will meet with journalists. The Mass for the inauguration of his pontificate is scheduled for March 19, next Tuesday, the feast of St. Joseph. Fr. Lombardi: Pope Francis Gives Testimony of Simplicity "We Have a Pope Who Wants to Serve" VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio is already well known for his simplicity: for being a pastor among the people, a cardinal who takes the bus and cooks for himself, for example, and a great defender of the poor. Now as Pope, he has begun with simplicity. “To pray the simplest prayers with the people is the greatest sign of simplicity,” observed his fellow Jesuit, Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, in reference to Pope Francis’ leading the people in the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be during his first appearance on St. Peter’s central balcony. Fr. Lombardi acknowledged his surprise at the election, and declared this is a “moment of joy for the Church.” He went on to speak of Cardinal Bergoglio-Pope Francis’ style of “evangelical testimony” and stressed his humility, evidenced in how he bowed down before the people, asking them to pray for God’s blessing upon him, prior to giving his first apostolic blessing as the Successor of St. Peter. Fr. Lombardi also noted his pastoral style, immediately applied to his new diocese, the Diocese of Rome. The Vatican spokesman said it was an act of courage for the cardinals to “go across the ocean and choose a Pope.” Pope Francis is the first pope from the Americas. Firsts In fact, he was immediately acclaimed as a pope of many firsts: the first Jesuit pope, the first pope of the Americas, and also the first to choose the name Francis. Father Thomas Rosica of Canada’s Salt and Light Television, who has been assisting Father Lombardi during the time of the interregnum, spoke of his choosing the name Francis as a sign of humility. He recounted that Cardinal Bergoglio had asked him for prayers prior to the conclave, explaining that he was a little nervous. Jesuit Fr. Lombardi went on to speak about the Pope’s vocation as a Jesuit. The spokesman referred to their order as one “known for serving.” The role of the Successor of St. Peter is also one of service, he said, reflecting that Cardinal Bergoglio has probably accepted his new mission in that vein, with the simplicity of a servant. “St. ignatius has formed us to have a view of the world, attentive to answer to necessities in the world we live in,” Father Lombardi said, highlighting especially faith and justice as “the greatest gift for our fellow man.” “I see it [the papacy] as a call to service from the part of [Cardinal] Bergoglio, that results from a strong call and not in the search of the power of authority,” Father Lombardi added. “In this sense I am absolutely convinced we have a Pope who wants to serve.” Pope Francis Begins Pontificate Leading Faithful in Prayer VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - Pope Francis' first moments as the 267th Successor of St. Peter were characterized by prayer. He arrived to the central balcony of St. Peter's at 8:22 local time, gazing upon the cheering crowds for two minutes before calling out, "Good evening!" During his 12 minutes on the balcony, he led the faithful in praying an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He also bowed in a moment of silence, inviting the faithful to pray God's blessing for himself just before he imparted his own apostolic blessing, his first blessing to the city and the world. Before leaving the balcony just after 8:30 local time, he told the faithful he wanted to ask for the intercession of Our Lady. Jorge Bergoglio was born Dec. 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was ordained a Jesuit priest on Dec. 13, 1969. He was created cardinal by John Paul II in 2001. --- Modified to correct and include more details from Francis' first address. Argentinian Pontiff Elected by Conclave Correspondent Reports From St. Peter's Square By Ann Schneible VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - The crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square this evening exploded with excitement as the white smoke billowed from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of Pope Francis, the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church. This being only the second day of the Conclave, there was a sense that the decision would not be made this evening. When the white smoke plumed from the chimney, therefore, the pilgrims burst into applause, moving as far forward as possible so as to be close to the façade of the basilica. The rain, which had drummed St. Peter's Square for hours as pilgrims waited for the signal, slowly ceased after the election was signaled. All eyes were turned to the loggia as those gathered in the Square waited to learn who would be new Holy Father. After more than half an hour, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran stepped forward and delivered the announcement, in Latin, that the Conclave had chosen Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and that he had chosen the name Francis. The crowds began to chant "Francesco! Francesco!" as they waited for the new pope to come out onto the loggia. Although there was an air of impatience, there was no sense of agitation from the crown: merely an eagerness to meet Pope Francis I. When he finally came to the loggia, the crowds erupted into cheers. He asked that those gathered, and all those participating in this moment through modern media, take a moment of silence and pray for him. The entire Square, which has been non-stop noise for days, fell silent. Then, Pope Francis gave his first blessing, and wished everyone a good night. Habemus Papam White Smoke Emerging From Sistine Chapel VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 - The bells of St. Peter's are ringing and the crowds are cheering. Just moments after 7 p.m. local time, white smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicated "Habemus Papam." We have a Pope! DOCUMENTS Archbishop Chaput Welcomes Election "He is a wonderful choice; a pastor God sends not just to the Church but to every person of good will" PHILADELPHIA, March 13, 2013 - STATEMENT OF ARCHBISHOP CHARLES J. CHAPUT UPON THE ELECTION OF OUR NEW HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS I first met our new Holy Father at Rome's 1997 Synod for America, and still have a gift from him, a portrait of Mary, the mother of Jesus, on my desk. Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Bergoglio, is a man from the new heartland of the global Church; a priest of extraordinary intellectual and cultural strengths; a man deeply engaged in the issues of contemporary life and able to speak to the modern heart; open to the new realities the Church faces; and rooted in a deep love of Jesus Christ. He is a wonderful choice; a pastor God sends not just to the Church but to every person of good will who honestly yearns for justice, peace and human dignity in our time. May God grant him courage and joy, and sustain him with his divine presence. And may Catholics in Philadelphia and around the world lift him up with our prayers.
