Posted on 03/13/2013 12:29:03 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
BACKGROUND:
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ (born December 17, 1936) is the current pope of the Roman Catholic Church, elected on March 13, 2013, and taking the regnal name of Francis I. Prior to his election, he served as an Argentine cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires since 1998. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2001. He was elevated to Pope in March 2013.
Jorge Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, one of the five children of an Italian railway worker and his wife. After studying at the seminary in Villa Devoto, he entered the Society of Jesus on March 11, 1958. Bergoglio obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Colegio Máximo San José in San Miguel, and then taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada in Santa Fe, and the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 13, 1969, by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He attended the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel, a seminary in San Miguel. Bergoglio attained the position of novice master there and became professor of theology.
Impressed with his leadership skills, the Society of Jesus promoted Bergoglio and he served as provincial for Argentina from 1973 to 1979. He was transferred in 1980 to become the rector of the seminary in San Miguel where had had studied. He served in that capacity until 1986. He completed his doctoral dissertation in Germany and returned to his homeland to serve as confessor and spiritual director in Córdoba.
That is not an issue between the Pope and the "flock", that is between God and His people. Even God doesn't demand that people believe, instead God gave Free Will. The Pope has to spiritually feed and lead His sheep. Those that choose to say yes to God. My faith is founded on that rock, that doesn't adapt to worldly preasures and trends that are offensive to God. No matter how much "the world' attacks and defames my faith, the gates of hades will not prevail.
He's a White Hispanic. ;)
Absolutely not that is the primary mission of a Pope.
South America is like North America, it has many races and ethnicities including millions of white people. There are between 192 million – 209 million white Latin Americans living in South America and Central America.
I did make a prediction that the next Pope would either come from North America or from the global south, which would also include South America.
That's not the reason why Popes change their name. Peter's name was changed from Simon, but most of the Popes from the first millennium of Christianity kept their baptismal name upon becoming Pope. The first one to officially change it was Pope John II. His birth name was Mercury and they thought it was inappropriate for the Pope to have the name of a pagan god. It didn't become the norm to change the name until 400 years later, and even then, there are two Popes in the last 1000 years who kept their baptismal names anyway. Pope Marcellus II (born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi) in the 1500s was the most recent to break the tradition and keep his baptismal name. Any Pope could choose to keep his baptismal name, but I'm glad this guy went with Pope Francis and not Pope Jorge or Pope George or whatever.
>> My question is why he is designated Francis I? Just plain Francis should be sufficient until there is a Francis II. <<
I agree. Looking at other Popes to have a new name, I see they're listed as Pope Linus, Pope Zephyrinus, Pope Fabian, Pope Liberius, Pope Lando, etc., I see they're listed simply by their papal name in lists of Popes, there's no "I" added to the end of it unless someone else takes the same later on. (i.e. Pope Celestine was retroactively listed as "Celestine I" when Celestine II became Pope). Odd thing, I think Pope John Paul I was officially called "John Paul I" before John Paul II was elected. I'm not sure what the rules are, given that Pope Francis is the first brand new for a Pope in 963 years (Pope John Paul was a combination of his two immediate predecessors -- John XXIII and Paul VI). I would prefer the media just call him "Pope Francis" myself. "Pope Francis I" when there's no second Pope by that name looks silly, especially since there may never be a Francis II. I don't think anyone is going to be confused and think there was a Pope Francis before this guy.
>> In South America, at least in the Spanish-speaking countries of that continent, he is known as Francisco Primero. (Remember, he is Francis the First, not Francis One.) <<
That's another odd rule. When I took spanish in 7th grade, the spanish teacher had all our birth names latinzed to the spanish form, or found a similar-sounding spanish name to call ourselves in class. Thus, my name was William and I went by "Guillermo" in spanish class. I was later told as an adult that that's not approciate to do in spanish countries (refer to yourself as the spanish form of your name), and that Bill Clinton would still be addressed as "Bill Clinton" in Mexico, Johnny Depp is still called "Johny Depp" by Mexicans, etc. But then I found out the artist Michelangelo is referred to as "Miguel Ángel" in Latin American countries, John Paul II is "Juan Pablo segundo", etc. Can someone please come up with a consistent set of rules for when names from other cultures should be altered to the native language? It seems so random.
That's not the reason why Popes change their name. Peter's name was changed from Simon, but most of the Popes from the first millennium of Christianity kept their baptismal name upon becoming Pope. The first one to officially change it was Pope John II. His birth name was Mercury and they thought it was inappropriate for the Pope to have the name of a pagan god. It didn't become the norm to change the name until 400 years later, and even then, there are two Popes in the last 1000 years who kept their baptismal names anyway. Pope Marcellus II (born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi) in the 1500s was the most recent to break the tradition and keep his baptismal name. Any Pope could choose to keep his baptismal name, but I'm glad this guy went with Pope Francis and not Pope Jorge or Pope George or whatever.
>> My question is why he is designated Francis I? Just plain Francis should be sufficient until there is a Francis II. <<
I agree. Looking at other Popes to have a new name, I see they're listed as Pope Linus, Pope Zephyrinus, Pope Fabian, Pope Liberius, Pope Lando, etc., I see they're listed simply by their papal name in lists of Popes, there's no "I" added to the end of it unless someone else takes the same later on. (i.e. Pope Celestine was retroactively listed as "Celestine I" when Celestine II became Pope). Odd thing, I think Pope John Paul I was officially called "John Paul I" before John Paul II was elected. I'm not sure what the rules are, given that Pope Francis is the first brand new for a Pope in 963 years (Pope John Paul was a combination of his two immediate predecessors -- John XXIII and Paul VI). I would prefer the media just call him "Pope Francis" myself. "Pope Francis I" when there's no second Pope by that name looks silly, especially since there may never be a Francis II. I don't think anyone is going to be confused and think there was a Pope Francis before this guy.
>> In South America, at least in the Spanish-speaking countries of that continent, he is known as Francisco Primero. (Remember, he is Francis the First, not Francis One.) <<
That's another odd rule. When I took Spanish in 7th grade, the Spanish teacher had all our birth names latinized to the Spanish form, or found a similar-sounding Spanish name to call ourselves in class. Thus, my name was William and I went by "Guillermo" in Spanish class. I was later told as an adult that that's not appropriate to do in Spanish countries (refer to yourself as the Spanish form of your name), and that Bill Clinton would still be addressed as "Bill Clinton" in Mexico, Johnny Depp is still called "Johnny Depp" by Mexicans, etc. But then I found out the artist Michelangelo is referred to as "Miguel Ángel" in Latin American countries, John Paul II is "Juan Pablo segundo", etc. Can someone please come up with a consistent set of rules for when names from other cultures should be altered to the native language? It seems so random.
Same here.
Wanted an American, but after reading about his humble life, I say CONGRATS and WELCOME your holiness.
But still he comes from the western hemisphere.
It will be strange on Sunday, hearing the prayer for “Nuestro Papa, Francisco.” My son Francis will be wondering why he was mentioned, if he’s paying any attention. (He’s 3 ;-).
Who is feeling like a kid these days? Everywhere we look we see our once proud country being destroyed—on purpose—by elements of our government...starting in the WH........
I sense he wants to honor all the Frances who are saints, which includes both the Jesuit and the Francisian.
I am very happy we have a new Pope! I have read he studied Chemistry and then decided to become a Priest. I have been trying to get back to my Catholic roots, and although I consider myself Catholic, I have not lived up to all of my obligations. But some of this gave me pause:
—my mother recently passed away, but was born exactly one year before Pope Francis
— On December 13, 1969 the new Pope became a Priest. My mother went into labor with me that day, but because they thought I was going to be born premature, they did everything they could to stop labor and I was
born two days later, perfectly healthy at 6 pounds.
—My fathers name: Francis! (although protestant)He enjoyed his study of Chemistry!
—My daughter was born on the day the new Pope became a Cardinal
I know, weird coincidences, but God works in peoples lives in mysterious
ways! He’s telling me something! My mother’s family was a big Catholic family, and if my parents were alive my mother would find the name Pope Francis to be wonderful, as my father was not Catholic and it would have also made her laugh.
He may have Italian heritage, but he is from Argantina.
Isn’t it wonderful? I was really moved when I saw him come out and when he blessed everyone.
Funny, I feel so pessimistic about the country’s future right now, but I feel very optimistic about the future of the Church.
But he is an Argentian citizen of Italian heritiage.
He looked very overwhelmed, wondering what happened. Your holiness, you will not be able to ride the bus anymore.
It’s all for the glory of God friend.
He’ll be the first pope to swear allegiance to himself.
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