Habemus Papam! (L) - (We Have a Pope!)

Habemus Papam! ("We Have a Pope!")

came  the announcement yesterday given in Latin by the Cardinal Protodeacon, the senior Cardinal Deacon, upon the election of a new Roman Catholic Pope. He is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina. At 76, he is the first Jesuit ever to be elected Pope. He is known to have been a very simple and humble man, commuting by bus and cooking his own meals.

There is something special about this announcement that gave me goose bumps as soon as I heard the news.

Viva Il Papa! were cries heard in jubilation in St. Peter's Square, Rome, and as banner headlines in the newscasts all over the world announcing the Pope's election.

Humility and servitude personified!

People around the world waited eagerly for this moment, glued to their TV sets. This news was proclaimed from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Later the new pope was presented to the people and he gave his first Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Most importantly though for me it only seems fitting and apt that we have a new Pope who has adopted his new name as 'Francis' - after St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his humility.

What's in a name?

Incidentally, Francis is a common name in Goa, India, and all around the world.  St Francis of Assisi is also the patron of my Alma Mater - St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, which is run by Franciscan Friars for the last 71 years.

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/10/chapel-of-st.html

At this juncture, we should not forget the name Francis for yet another reason - St. Francis Xavier - the pioneering Jesuit Missionary of the Orient.

“Vere dignum et justum est".

Is it not then, fitting and just, that 'Francis' is the apt name that the new Pope, a Jesuit himself, has adopted after two great Catholic Saints?

*  Francis - after St. Francis of Assisi - a symbol of humility - the Franciscan Friar and preacher. Francis' devotion to God was expressed through his love for all of God's creation. St. Francis cared for the poor and sick, he preached sermons to animals, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, was born in Italy around 1181 or 1182.

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/12/blog-post.html 

and

* Francis - the great Missionary to the East - St. Francis Xavier - the Jesuit and Apostle of the Indies - whose relics are kept in a silver casket, elevated inside the Cathedral of Bom Jesus, Old Goa.

Coincidence?

The new Holy Father has Italian and Spanish roots - St. Francis of Assisi was Italian and St. Francis Xavier was Spanish.

May long be the Reign of Pope Francis I
(so far the 7th Pope in my lifetime)

Viva Il Papa!

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/10/chapel-of-st.html