Habemus Papam

The first Latin American Pope has been chosen. And he has picked a name never before used by any Pope, a name that both illuminates his background and says something about his coming Papacy. He named himself Franciscum, Francis in English, after Saint Francis Xavier, or perhaps after Saint Francis of Assisi, only time will tell. However, both Francis were known for their missionary spirit and for their advocacy in favor of the poor. Of Saint Francis Xavier, one writer comments:

Xavier is the church’s most renowned missionary, spreading the word of God to India and as far east as Japan. According to Maurice Collis, in his book The Land of the Great Image, "The conversion of the whole Orient was Xavier’s ambition," though he was so humble that when he arrived at the Portuguese colony of Goa in 1542, "it was noticed that he was barefoot, that his gown was ragged, and his hood of the coarsest stuff."

Of Saint Francis of Assisi it is often little known that he travelled to the Middle East with hopes of evangelizing Muslims or that he met with one of the great sultans. It is also little known that he helped to establish a language school so that missionaries could learn the Arabic language. In America, we have mostly lowered him to nothing more than a cute saints of pets who are being blessed. Yet, he was also a fervent advocate for the poor and stood against simony and corruption in the Roman Catholic Church.

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam:

Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium Marium Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum.

The Anglican Primate of the Southern Cone—and Bishop of Buenos Aires—made the following comments regarding the new Pope:

Many are asking me what Jorge Bergoglio is really like.

He is much more of a Christian, Christ centered and Spirit filled, than a mere churchman. He believes the Bible as it is written. I have been with him on many occasions and he always makes me sit next to him and invariably makes me take part and often do what he as Cardinal should have done. He is consistently humble and wise, outstandingly gifted yet a common man. He is no fool and speaks out very quietly yet clearly when necessary. He called me to have breakfast with him one morning and told me very clearly that the Ordinariate was quite unnecessary and that the church needs us as Anglicans. I consider this to be an inspired appointment not because he is a close and personal friend but because of who he is In Christ. Pray for him.

We shall all have to wait and see how he structures his Patriarchate.