Community Corner

New Pope Francis Elected: What Do Catholics in Emmaus Say?

White smoke appeared on Wednesday, signaling that the conclave had chosen Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church.

Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, is the next pope. He has chosen the name Pope Francis.

Bergoglio is the first Jesuit—and the first from Latin America—to be named pope.

Catholics: What is your wish for your faith in this new chapter? Tell us in the comments section below.

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He has spent nearly his entire career in Argentina, and according to published reports, he has lived modestly, taking the bus to work, cooking his own meals and opting to live in an apartment.  

ABC News Online reported that he is considered a champion of social justice in his country. He also is a conservative, strongly opposing abortion, same-sex marriage and contraception, ABC News reported. 

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

Bergoglio stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome at 3:22 p.m. Wednesday (8:22 p.m in Rome) to cheering crowds. Just a little over an hour earlier, white smoke had arisen from atop the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the Roman Catholic cardinals had elected a new pope.

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), a Zionsville resident, today released the following statement on the election of the Catholic Church’s new Pope Francis I: 

"The Catholic Church is the largest charitable, healthcare and educational institution in the world, and the spiritual home to 1.2 billion Catholics around the globe. The new Holy Father Francis I has an immense task ahead of him and I pray that God will uphold him with strength, wisdom and courage to take on the challenges and beauty of his new role."

Emmaus Patch Facebook user Beth Loring questioned Bergoglio's age as he takes on his new role: "I'm confused by the fact that he stepped down as cardinal last year because of his age and now they made him pope?"

Bergoglio succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned Feb. 28, the first pope to do so in 600 years. He cited advanced age.

There are 270,000 Catholics across the Allentown Diocese, including 76,000 in Northampton County and 67,000 in Lehigh County.


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