Community Corner
New Pope Francis Elected: Fr. Flor Reacts
The white smoke appeared on Wednesday, signalling that the conclave had chosen Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be the new head of the Catholic Church. Locals across the community responded.
The Catholic Church has a new pope, the first-ever from a Latin American country. Fr. Carlos Flor, pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas and Our Lady of Lourdes in Jamaica Plain, said he is happy with the selection.
“I was surprised, but it was a good surprise,” he said of Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the new pope.
Flor said the choice to go with a Latin American shows the universality of the Catholic Church. And with so many Hispanics in the local diocese, the selection is especially resonant locally.
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“It shows diversity,” he said. “It shows the church is really universal.”
Bergoglio, 76, born in Buenos Aires, has chosen the name Francis. He was ordained for the Jesuits in 1969, according to his biography.
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Flor said he expected a European-based pope to be elected -- and has personal ties to papal candidate Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston -- but he feels Bergoglio will prove a strong leader.
“I think it’s good news for the church,” he said. “I’m happy for the church to have a good man who was a pastor. He will preach well, and will be faithful to the morals of the church.”
Bergoglio will take over for Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in February, thus marking the first papal resignation since 1415.
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