Redding's Father Joe Reacts to Pope Francis I

The College of Cardinals at the Vatican in Rome has chosen a new pope. White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the traditional signal that the selection has been made.

A Jesuit cardinal, 76, from Buenos Aires is the new pope.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the son of an Italian railway worker, becomes the first Jesuit and first Latin American pontiff, according to news reports.

He has taken the name Francis I.

Father Joseph Cervero of St. Patrick Church in Redding said he was surprised at the announcement.

"But I'm very pleased," he said. "Just listening to the brief interchange he had, the humility. He's obviously very pastoral, at least from these first initial moments. His history has been very pastoral."

Father Joe said that from what he's read, Pope Francis one is "very much about reaching out to the people."

"It’s not about him, it’s about the Church, it’s about Jesus Christ and Mary, his mother," he said. "It’s going to be a real interesting several years, but I think he’s going to bring some healing where healing is needed."

Background

Pope Francis I addressed the crowd below from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Born Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, he was ordained for the Jesuits on Dec. 13, 1969 during his theological studies at the Theological Faculty of San Miguel, according to the Vatican’s website.

He was novice master in San Miguel, where he also taught theology. He was Provincial for Argentina (1973-1979) and rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel (1980-1986). After completing his doctoral dissertation in Germany, he served as a confessor and spiritual director in Córdoba.

On 20 May 1992 he was appointed titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires, receiving episcopal consecration on 27 June. On 3 June 1997 was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires and succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on 28 February 1998. He is also Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite.

Adjunct Relator General of the 10^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, October 2001.

He served as President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from 8 November 2005 until 8 November 2011.

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