Religious Leaders React to Pope's Election
The white smoke appeared on Wednesday, signalling that the conclave had chosen Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church.
Photos
White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday — signaling the election of a new pope — was cause for excitement around the world.
About an hour after the smoke appeared, it was learned Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected to be the new pope. The 76-year-old chose the regal name Francis.
Several local Catholic ministers did not return phone calls seeking comment on the election of the new Pontiff.
"I was very impressed with him, personally. He seems like he's very humble and I think that is the most important trail of the pope," said Rev. Karyn Ratcliffe, pastor of Packanack Community Church. "I think the fact that he is 76 years old is also beneficial. The pope needs to be someone who has lived long enough to learn the lessons that come with wisdom."
The new pope's humility appeared evident just minutes after being elected. He did not sit on the papal throne or wear a red cloak, various news outlets reported. He did not take a private car back to the hotel he was staying at. Instead, he rode the bus back with the cardinals who just elected him.
The pope also bowed after his election to receive a blessing from the people in St. Peter's Square.
"I think that was really brilliant because it illustrated that the pope is not someone who governs over the people but someone who represents the people," Ratcliffe said. "It was a brilliant symbolic gesture because it showed the true role of the pope."
Pope Francis is the first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope.
Franci's precedesor, Pope Benedict XVI resigned at the end of February for health reasons, making him the first pope to step down in nearly 600 years.
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Bill
6:13 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
The Pope is from Wayne, part of Passaic County?
Jack Q
9:00 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Bill, if this patch bothers you so much, stop logging on.
Bill
9:21 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Jack Q, if my coments bother YOU so much, stop reading them.
Scondo
11:31 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Bill, What your myopic thought process did not pick up on is that the quoted source is from Wayne, the story is about what the local reaction was. The reporter did not get response from the local Catholic sources, (probably because press contacts are handled out of Diocesan offices in Clifton) , but a local Minister of considerable favorable reputation gave her opinion. It was a local take story, not a Pope story per se. It is similar to the reporter asking what people from Wayne thought of the election of Mr. Obama to the second term, get the local flavor and opinion. This is a community forum made available generously by Patch, it is not strictly limited to only those things occurring in Wayne, but also includes things that might be of interest to Wayne Residents, whatever that might be.
Bill
12:22 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Scondo, based on your discourse, the writer of this particular Patch should have also written a piece on International Woman's Day which was last Friday March 8th. It was addressed in many quarters, including local politicians and religious. Per a good friend of mine, this person refused to write such an article. He has also been cautious to avoid writing articles that were outside of Wayne or were not pre-approved by the public relations/ police departments.
Scondo, tell me why Wayne residents would not be interested in the efforts of the many women who toil day in and day out in this community?
If people pick and choose, perhaps it ought to be done with less discrimination?
After all, it is the 21st Century?
Wayne Resident
12:27 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Articles in this paper are censored by local gov't agencies before published? Hmmm
Bill
12:45 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Let me clarify. my friend has constantly praised the writer, who works extremely hard to bring valuable information to the residents. I happen to agree with my friend on that point. However, as Patch is an AOL subsidiary, countrywide, it would be nice to know, as a stockholder, that consistency in the articles was complied with.