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14 Mar 2013

‘An inspired choice’: Catholics react to new Pope

With Catholics worldwide celebrating the election of Pope Francis, political and relegious leaders welcome the new leader of the world’s largest Christian church.

On Wednesday night, delighted priests, nuns and pilgrims danced around the obelisk in the middle of St Peter’s Square, chanting: “Long live the Pope!” and “Argentina! Argentina!”

In Pope Francis’s native Argentina, jubilant Catholics poured into their local churches to celebrate.

“I hope he changes all the luxury that exists in the Vatican, that he steers the church in a more humble direction, something closer to the gospel,” said Jorge Andres Lobato, a 73-year-old retired state prosecutor.

The 266th pontiff in the Catholic church’s 2,000-year history, Francis is taking the helm at a time of great crisis, with morale among the faithful hit by a widespread child sex abuse scandal and in-fighting in the Vatican bureaucracy.

After more than a millennium of European leadership, the cardinal-electors looked to Latin America, where 42 per cent of the world’s Catholics live. The continent is more focused on poverty and the rise of evangelical churches than questions of materialism and sexual abuse, which dominate in the west.

‘Warm wishes’

President Barack Obama offered “warm wishes” to Pope Francis and said his selection speaks to the strength and vitality of the Americas.

“On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis,” Mr Obama said.

“As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than 2,000 years that in each other we see the face of God.

“As the first Pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day”

But in Argentina, where the media highlighted his “frosty” relationship with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, his election was received with surprise.

The news caught representatives at the country’s chamber of deputies in full session and paying homage to the recently deceased president Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

The Clarin newspaper reported on its website that deputies aligned with Ms Fernandez refused to interrupt the tribute to Mr Chavez, despite heated protests from the opposition.

Many will think it is a surprise choice, for me it is an inspired choice. Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor

About an hour and a half after the announcement that the archbishop of Buenos Aires had been made Pope Francis, Ms Fernandez tweeted a congratulatory letter.

Addressing the new Pope, she said: “In my name, that of the Argentine government and representing the people of our country, I want to salute you on the occasion of your election as the Roman pontiff of the universal church.

“It is our desire that, as you undertake the leadership and guidance of the church, you should have a fruitful pastoral work carrying out such great responsibilities in pursuit of justice, equality, fraternity and the peace of humankind.

“I forward to your Holiness my esteem and respect.”

Despite the warm words, the country’s media were quick to point out that the new Pope had a history of confrontation with Ms Fernandez and her predecessor as president and husband, the late Nestor Kirchner.

‘Wise leadership’

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he looked forward to co-operation with the Holy See under Pope Francis’ “wise leadership”.

In the UK, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, offered his welcome, adding: “We wish Pope Francis every blessing in the enormous responsibilities that he has assumed on behalf of Roman Catholics around the world.

Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, said: “My warmest congratulations go to Pope Francis on his election, which will be welcomed by Scotland’s Catholic community and by others around the world.

“I wish him well in his time in the papacy, and his first message as Pope – urging greater bonds of understanding and co-operation among peoples and nations – is one that should resonate around the globe.”

The former head of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, said the new Pope was an “inspired” choice.

“He is a humble, gentle and very intelligent and spiritual man,” he told Channel 4 News.

“I think that Pope Francis is going to be a blessing for the Catholic church and for the world. Many will think it is a surprise choice, for me it is an inspired choice.”

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