Greenwich Catholics Offer Prayers for New Pope Francis

In the hour after Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected the 266th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, local Catholics in Greenwich were prepared to offer prayers for their new leader. The 76-year-old who will be known as Pope Francis is the first Pope from the Americas.

Msgr. Allen Detscher, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside, said of the College of Cardinals election of Bergoglio, "It is a sign that the church now recognizes that it's international to a greater extent than possible before."

Detscher added, "We really don’t know anything about him. As Catholics we accept the fact a new pope was elected by the cardinals. They’ve done their job and we hope that the Holy Spirit is guiding them and Him. I am going to say Mass now and I will remember him in our prayers."

The archbishop of Buenos Aires is a Jesuit intellectual who travels by bus and has a practical approach to poverty: when he was appointed a cardinal, Bergoglio persuaded hundreds of Argentinians not to fly to Rome to celebrate with him but instead to give the money they would have spent on plane tickets to the poor, according to The Guardian. He was a fierce opponent of Argentinas decision to legalize gay marriage in 2010, arguing children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother. He was created a cardinal by John Paul II on Feb. 21, 2001.

• believes in contraception to prevent the spread of disease
• is open to dialogue with other faiths
• is not facing questions over any abuse scandals
• is not facing questions over the handling of the Vatileaks scandal
• would make reforming the curia a priority.

Fairfield University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., said in a prepared statement, “We join our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe in saluting Pope Francis I. At this historic moment for the Church, we offer prayers for strength, wisdom, and courage for our new Pope as he assumes this great and sacred responsibility.

Von Arx also said, "In these complex and challenging times, there is an opportunity for renewal and reflection. The election of a pope from Latin America is an historic precedent and an expression of optimism and courage on the part of the conclave.  As Pope Francis I is a member of the Society of Jesus, this is a time for great humility and gratitude for our Society. With God’s guidance, may he lead the Church to greater unity and faithfulness to her Lord and become an inspirational leader, not only for his flock, but indeed, for the world.”

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