He supposedly isn’t popular with the Vatican Curia

Good!

Following the formula "The corruption of the best, is the worst," some of the best and worst priests you'll find, are Jesuits.

They have history of high academic achievement and fast-track promotion of able leadership. I had an old pal who was a poor kid back East who applied to a Jesuit Prep School that had 1,500 applicants for 30 openings. He got in because he was super-bright and they gave him a full scholarship because he was super-poor. But he was constantly rubbing elbows with the sons of diplomats and the elites of 3 continents. He ended up joining the Seminary and was ordained. Ended up requesting laicization after 30+ years as a priest, because he was scandalized by worldly Jesuits in high places.

I mention that story because it was typical of a certain generation.

The best of them are simply magnificent. They've got a whole regiment of heroic canonized saints, missionary-martyrs, scientists, men of devotion to God, brilliance and backbone.

The worst are intellectually overstuffed, known for their rebelliousness (although they have a special oath of loyalty to the Pope and are supposed to be his "Special Forces" so to speak), way, way over to the Left, proud as pit-hags, and --- 'nuff said.

♥Pope Francis sounds like the good kind.♥

:o)

I’m thinking perhaps Pope Francis will be just what the Catholic Church needs, a pope who will be frank. ;)

“frank: Open, honest, and direct in speech or writing, esp. when dealing with unpalatable matters.”

At least they’re not Argentines with a German accent....

Yeah, I really felt kind of peaceful when I watched him come out on the balcony to greet everyone. He seems like a real neat person. I’m non-Catholic but I do like him very much.

My Argie buddy has a cabin in Pategonia. He stops at the same remote gas station every time en route for years. One time he asked the gas man who owns that mansion up on the hill. “Oh, some Germans”, he said. A few years later, he read that some high ranking Nazi died and was “outed” after death. And he was the owner of the large compound.

By the way, when Hitler was found in Argentina many years ago, the press asked him if he could do life over again, would there be anything differnt. “Different!”, shouted Hitler. “Next time, no more Mr. Nice Guy!!” (thanks to Mel Brooks for that one).

The First Words of Pope Francis

by CE Editor on March 13, 2013 ·

Brothers and sisters good evening.

You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have come almost to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.

First of all I would say a prayer pray for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI.. Let us all pray together for him, that the Lord bless him and Our Lady protect him.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…

And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood . My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, together with help of my Cardinal Vicar, be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city.

And now I would like to give the blessing, but first I want to ask you a favour. Before the bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.

[The Protodeacon announced that all those who received the blessing, either in person or by radio, television or by the new means of communication receive the plenary indulgence in the form established by the Church. He prayed that Almighty God protect and guard the Pope so that he may lead the Church for many years to come, and that he would grant peace to the Church throughout the world.]

[Immediately afterwards Pope Francis gave his first blessing Urbi et Orbi – To the City and to the World.]

I will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.

Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with you again soon.

We will see one another soon.

Tomorrow I want to go to pray the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.

Good night and sleep well!

Excommunications are done by the local bishop, not the Pope.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2996585/posts?page=54#54

I wonder what the Russian Church thinks of his election? they seem to be on the same page with homosexuals. I wonder if he will go to Moscow to meet with the Metropolitan? I bet his first trip will be to his homeland in South America.

It’s likely he’ll receive the Eastern Orthodox church’s Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I at some point in the near future. The two churches keep good relations.

This posting drew better than the run of the mill comments many insightfull and knowledgeable. Some immediate changes I think may happen

I have a feeling that what Pope Francis I is going to do is appoint the author of the curia reforms its head, the first announced visit was to Rattzinger.

As the Eastern Ordinary for South America He may even celebrate mass using the eastern rite probably using St John’s rite. Perhaps at one of the joint feast days

I

www.clonline.org

The Movement has truly changed my life.

I’m surprised its not more popular in the US than it is.

Regardless, it’s truly the only authentically human way to live, by my experience. I’ve refered others to it from here in the midst of some debates in times past. For me, it seems to be the true way to “answer” such debates. But to no avail.

Regardless, it’s not a communist organization, in fact quite the opposite. I wouldn’t be surprised if from CL, Pope Francis derived/derives his outlook on “social justice”, which trust me, would be the best place, “conservatively speaking”. Despite its name, CL has nothing to do with “liberation theology”, in fact, we stand in stark opposition to it.

thanks 47. I’m trying to bring the website up. I’ll check it out.

He may even celebrate mass using the eastern rite probably using St John’s rite.

That would be very nice indeed!

YW. This is a direct link to the US website for CL in the US.

http://www.clonline.us/

I’ve always thought FReepers especially would appreciate it (the Movement), in particular our weekly Schools of Community. If there’s one in your area, I’d strongly reccomend checking it out.

Christ is truly present; through the Movement I have been blessed to encounter Him many times. After something like that, “arguments” about whether or not Catholics “worship Mary”, and similar nonsense really don’t mean much anymore. Nothing like real human experience to blow dry theological arguments out of the water.

Indeed, if every critic would come to a School of Community, or any CL event, they’d easily see its Christ, not Mary, nor the Saints, Who is central in our lives. Because of these experiences, I mostly laugh at such people anymore because its so obvious, from literally reality, they have no idea what they are talking about.

Just making your links active.

If you really want to know what Social Doctrine (please use that correct term than the loaded "Social Justice" term used so often by liberals) is then you should read this book
Available for free online on the Vatican's website
Available as a PDF

Comunione e Liberazione is a conservative Church group I used to enjoy beer & pizza with 25 years ago (they had a branch in DC). Some of them came and danced at my wedding! The founders of the University branch of C+L were Catholic students at the University of Milan back in the "revolutionary years" of 1968-69 who regularly got beat up by the Marxist student groups. They survived a lot and are real all-around "build a Culture of Life" guys, and of course anti-Marxist.

The official C+L website

They are a lay organization but they were founded by a priest, Don Luigi Giussani, who started out just by challenging students: "Jesus Christ: who do YOU say that He is?" This is why C+L is described by some as "an evangelical movement within the Church."

This guy Francis I sounds like a really, really good choice.

10 Facts about Pope Francis
Vatican Web Site Updated
Full Text of Pope Francis’ Opening Address to Catholic Faithful
9 things you should know about Pope Francis
Pope Francis I promises to be strong pro-life world leader
New Pope celebrated Hanukkah as well as Christmas
New Pope- enemy of Catholic tradition
As Cardinal, Pope Francis condemned abortion even in rape cases
Profile: New pope, Jesuit Bergoglio, was runner-up in 2005 conclave
Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected pope, takes Francis as name
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio: a Profile
HABEMUS PAPAM!!! (Live Thread)