March 13 (Bloomberg) -- As the world awaits smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel that indicate whether a new pope has been chosen, a seagull perched atop the chimney. (Source: Bloomberg) --
UPDATE: White smoke issued from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signaling that a pope has been elected. The bells of St Peter are ringing.
UPDATE 2: The new pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio,76, of Argentina, has chosen the name Francis. The 266th pope of the Roman
Catholic Church is the first non-European leader of the church in
more than 1,000 years.
Papal Gull.
ReplyDeleteThe new pope, described on the Guardian's interactive "Choose your own pope" site as a "moderate" (who imagined any still existed in the college of cardinals?) is a more promising choice that I had expected. Age is interesting. Not risking another quarter-century pontificate.
I guess that's about as liberal as one can be and still retain a position as cardinal in the RCC.
DeleteAccording to Wikipedia, he's a doctrinal conservative and has distanced himself from liberation theology. He's also a very humble man, who lives in a small apartment, uses public transportation, and cooks his own meals.
faceboook comment of Greg Venables, Anglican bishop of Argentina, former Southern Cone primate, and a godfather of North American schism, on the new pope and the "Ordinariate":
ReplyDelete"Many are asking me what Jorge Bergoglio is really like. He is much more of a Christian, Christ centered and Spirit filled, than a mere churchman. He believes the Bible as it is written. I have been with him on many occasions and he always makes me sit next to him and invariably makes me take part and often do what he as Cardinal should have done. He is consistently humble and wise, outstandingly gifted yet a common man. He is no fool and speaks out very quietly yet clearly when necessary. He called me to have breakfast with him one morning and told me very clearly that the Ordinariate was quite unnecessary and that the church needs us as Anglicans. I consider this to be an inspired appointment not because he is a close and personal friend but because of who he is In Christ. Pray for him."
Well, if "Anglican" = Venables, then I can see why Bergoglio would consider the Ordinariate redundant! }-X
DeleteRe Pope Francis: Nixon to China - Nixon to China - Nixon to China. I'm making this my mantra . . . for a little while ("until mugged by Reality").
And also please MARVEL at *both* my powers-of-facial-recognition, *and* my pseudo-PhotoShop skillz---
DeleteSeparated at Birth? (Habemus Papum edition)
Pretty good, eh? [I'm really proud that I'm actually getting better at pseudoPS. For so long, even this limited a work was completely beyond me. But, accompanied by much swearing tonight, I finally figured out how to combine two images, AND add some text! Yay Me!]
Sorry, but I can't take Venables' word that Francis is a Biblical literalist, but, if he believes the ordinariates were unnecessary, he's quite right. Those who left Anglican churches for the ordinariates ought to call themselves what they are, converts to Roman Catholicism.
DeleteJCF, I hope your mantra is predictive.
DeleteAs for your link - AG could look like anyone, even me. He fades completely into character.
JCF, I stand corrected. On second look, Francis I looks very much like AG.
DeleteFunny thing: another commenter at Joe.My.God. posted the SAME comparison (Francis to Guinness-as-Smiley) just ***5 minutes*** ahead of my posting it there!
DeleteGreat minds...
Delete