Community Corner

Western PA Catholic Leaders Hail Selection of Pope Francis

Learn 13 key facts about the new pontiff, then tell us what you think about the church's new leader.

Pittsburgh-area Catholic leaders reacted to the election of Pope Francis and were especially fixated on his “New World” origins and the meaning behind the name he chose.

Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was selected the new pope Wednesday and greeted the thousands who gathered at the Vatican.

Closer to home, Catholic leaders here said they are excited about the selection.

Find out what's happening in North Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bishop David A. Zubik said the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh greeted the news with joy. He noted the new pope will face "challeges" in his new role, as the Catholic Church has for more than 2,000 years.

"Our new Holy Father brings with him the experience of a dedicated pastor who has served the Church so well in his many years of ordained ministry," Zubik said in a statement "That experience—and the rock-steady faith that has guided him—will be his comfort and strength in the challenging days ahead."

Find out what's happening in North Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the North Hills-based Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh said they are praying for the new church leader.

"The Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh offer their prayers for Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina) that he will be a man of prayer and humble courage," the sisters said.

"We pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire him to guide the Church for the good of all people and as St. Francis, his patron, may he defend and support the poor and oppressed of our world."

There is plenty of reaction on social media.

Lori Farber writes on the North Hills Patch Facebook Page: "76 is a little old in my opinion."

Marcia Kl writes: "I personally loved the choice, not only is he from a non European country, but he seems well rounded and extremely charismatic. I loved his speech and his friendly face. Too soon to have a well rounded opinion but just the fact that he's the 1st pope from a non European country in 1000 years brings us new perspectives! Habemus papam!"

Numerous Catholics also said they found it surprising the new pope is from South America. Pope Francis is the first pontiff to come from the Americas after dominance by Catholic leaders from Europe.

He replaces Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned at the end of February. The conclave of Cardinals to select the new pope began Tuesday morning.

Want to know more about the Pope?

Here are 13 key facts about the new pontiff, reported by the Guardian:

  • He likes to travel by bus.
  • He has lived for more than 50 years with one functioning lung. He had the other removed as a young man because of infection.
  • He is the son of an Italian railway worker.
  • He trained as a chemist.
  • He is the first non-European pope in the modern era.
  • He claims that adoption by homosexuals is a form of discrimination against children but believes that condoms "can be permissible" to prevent infection.
  • In 2001 he washed and kissed the feet of Aids patients in a hospice.
  • He speaks fluent Italian, as well as Spanish and German.
  • Until now he has been living in a small flat, eschewing a formal bishop's residence.
  • He told Argentinians not to travel to Rome to celebrate if he was appointed but to give their money to the poor instead.
  • He is believed to have been the runner-up in the last papal conclave in 2005.
  • He has co-written a book, in Spanish, called Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra (On Heaven and Earth). You can buy it on Kindle.
  • Though conservative on church doctrine, he has criticised priests who refuse to baptise babies born to single mothers.

____

We want to know what you think. Do you agree with the selection? In what direction should the new Pope take the church? Catholics: What is your wish for your faith in this new chapter?

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook

Check out some of today's other top stories here .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here