More details soon as he is escorted to the balcony.

Imagine my relief.
(i'd bet it is one of the "african" contenders--to offset the previous "political incorrectness". "they" are fairly strict in africa.)

Obviously, I am not a weatherman.
Nor a "roman catholic" . . .
(at least not yet =)

Does 'we' include all the masses or just 'Catholics'? :)

Pope Francis is the name he's taken.

Argentina's Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis ? This Just In - CNN.com Blogs (http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/13/cardinals-elect-new-pope/?hpt=hp_t1)

Does 'we' include all the masses or just 'Catholics'? :)

"Catholic" implies "Universal".
"'Roman' 'Catholic'" implies a contradiction in terms.

"Argentina's" implies WTF?/Falklands/Gauchos and Nazi Expatriates.
"Bergoglio" implies "Italian" . . . so we have come full circle on this.

I guess I lost the bet. =)
Yet I am happy for the masses that won and will win.

Would it be OK for the masses to call him "Frank" instead of "Francis"? Or is that reserved for The Cardinals in the inner circle?

"Catholic" implies "Universal".
"'Roman' 'Catholic'" implies a contradiction in terms.

"Argentina's" implies WTF?/Falklands/Gauchos and Nazi Expatriates.
"Bergoglio" implies "Italian" . . . so we have come full circle on this.

I guess I lost the bet. =)
Yet I am happy for the masses that won and will win.

Would it be OK for the masses to call him "Frank" instead of "Francis"? Or is that reserved for The Cardinals in the inner circle?Frankly, I think it would be disrespectful to call him Frank, to be frank with you. ;) (I sometimes wonder where that expression came from :p)

Would it be OK for the masses to call him "Frank" instead of "Francis"? Or is that reserved for The Cardinals in the inner circle?

Only if he has a dog named Beans! hahahahahAha

so the cardinals have hired a new manager? -M

Is he going to keep the tradition of child molestation alive? I think that is the important question here. Buncha crappie crunchers and mackerel munchers.

Is he going to keep the tradition of child molestation alive? I think that is the important question here. Buncha crappie crunchers and mackerel munchers.

Don't be a hater.

Been watching and wondering who they would choose. Anytime there is a change like this, it is interesting to see how the church will adapt/change/reconfirm, etc. This is a big deal for so many people.

I sat down to watch the evening news and the first 25 minutes were devoted to the new pope. For many of my adult years I have wondered how a Christian faith can openly idolize an earthly man as they do the pope. It seems that all the pomp and circumstance, ... and expense, can be better used to serve others, as the faith commands.

Been watching and wondering who they would choose. Anytime there is a change like this, it is interesting to see how the church will adapt/change/reconfirm, etc. This is a big deal for so many people.

Penny thank you for recognizing it. While I'm definitely not the ideal Catholic, this is a huge day for The Church and its 1.2 Billion members. :)


I sat down to watch the evening news and the first 25 minutes was devoted to the new pope. For many of my adult years I have wondered how a Christian faith can openly idolize an earthly man as they do the pope. It seems that all the pomp and circumstance, ... and expense, can be better used to serve others, as the faith commands.

The Pope has always been the guiding figure to lead St. Peter's Church. While the role of the pontiff has changed over the years, he is still looked to for moral guidance on this planet.

2000 years of tradition says something for a group of humans. The pomp and circumstance today really isn't that overdone and really doesn't cost anything near compared to say a British Royal Wedding or the US Presidential Inauguration. It is hopeful with the Holy Father selecting the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi that we'll see a good shift back to ensuring the Church is helping those in needed first. Maybe someday the Protestants will take a queue from The Church.

I sat down to watch the evening news and the first 25 minutes was devoted to the new pope. For many of my adult years I have wondered how a Christian faith can openly idolize an earthly man as they do the pope. It seems that all the pomp and circumstance, ... and expense, can be better used to serve others, as the faith commands.

Can the same not be said of Joel Osteen, other American TV preachers or mega churches here in the metro?

Penny thank you for recognizing it. While I'm definitely not the ideal Catholic, this is a huge day for The Church and its 1.2 Billion members. :)



The Pope has always been the guiding figure to lead St. Peter's Church. While the role of the pontiff has changed over the years, he is still looked to for moral guidance on this planet.

2000 years of tradition says something for a group of humans. The pomp and circumstance today really isn't that overdone and really doesn't cost anything near compared to say a British Royal Wedding or the US Presidential Inauguration. It is hopeful with the Holy Father selecting the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi that we'll see a good shift back to ensuring the Church is helping those in needed first. Maybe someday the Protestants will take a queue from The Church.

I haven't seen a Catholic write so militantly about their church in years and I'm surprised it would come from you. I noticed the capital T & C. The Roman Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest institutions in the world and could do much for the poor if they didn't have billions tucked away in Vatican banks and more gold in the Vatican than maybe anywhere in the world. Your "church" has a very bloody history and is almost unequaled when it comes to bureaucratic BS, hypocrisy, and has lost all credibility among millions and millions of EX-catholics all over this country, not to mention those who always thought it was a racket in the first place. Of course I haven't even mentioned the little boys. Yeah, a helluva institution for 2000 years.

Can the same not be said of Joel Osteen, other American TV preachers or mega churches here in the metro?

I don't like them either but at least they don't claim infallibility.

I haven't seen a Catholic write so militantly about their church in years and I'm surprised it would come from you. I noticed the capital T & C. The Roman Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest institutions in the world and could do much for the poor if they didn't have billions tucked away in Vatican banks and more gold in the Vatican than maybe anywhere in the world. Your "church" has a very bloody history and is almost unequaled when it comes to bureaucratic BS, hypocrisy, and has lost all credibility among millions and millions of EX-catholics all over this country, not to mention those who always thought it was a racket in the first place. Of course I haven't even mentioned the little boys. Yeah, a helluva institution for 2000 years.

I don't see it as being militant at all. The Catholic Church can be dated back to St. Peter in its origins. The Protestants were, and in some people's opinions still, heretics that broke away under the teachings of Martin Luther. I don't dispute the wealth that is maintained in the Vatican and it definitely could be put forward in greater use. Maybe now that we have someone who could be a reformed in the papal office, we'll start seeing more of it dispersed. I also won't dispute that The Church has had a very bloody past. Some felt the need to spread the word by forced conversion or killing those that didn't agree. Unfortunately it is something that continues to go on to this day, especially with the Jews and Muslims. The issues with child abuse are also disgusting and hopefully we finally see true accountability towards those bishops that have been sheltering the criminals.

He is a Jesuit. They are big on education and thats never a bad thing. I wish him luck.

Would it be OK for the masses to call him "Frank" instead of "Francis"? Or is that reserved for The Cardinals in the inner circle?

Maybe the Franks in the world will go back to using Francis since the Pope has made it cool. lol

Been watching and wondering who they would choose. Anytime there is a
change like this, it is interesting to see how the church will
adapt/change/reconfirm, etc. This is a big deal for so many people.
There's one thing I don't understand. Is there anyway of knowing who the
candidates are? I like the Pomp and Circumstance of the Pope selection.
Pope John 23 was the Pope when I was a kid. However I only remember him
being called Pope John. Next was Pope Paul 6, not that I remember their
numbers. Being a Southern Baptist I often wish we had such P&C. But it's
good that we don't because it tends to center upon the man and not Christ.

I still dig the Pomp and Circumstance.

The "candidates?" There were 204 cardinals from 79 countries.

The "candidates?" There were 204 cardinals from 79 countries.

Technically any baptized adult Catholic male can be voted in as pontiff, though they do normally come from the College of Cardinals. As far as the preferiti or papabile candidates including somewhere around 12 to 14 cardinals. Cardinal Bergoglio was among them. Cardinal Scola was probably the front runner that people were thinking about, but many seem to have discounted Bergoglio being 2nd in votes to Ratzinger in 2005.

That whole "Protestant" label is as senseless as "'Roman''Catholic'".
The closest thing non-"'Roman''Catholics'" have or had to a "pope" is Billy Graham.
(at least here in The New World)

To cut to the chase, fast forward to 1:57 or so
Q0PHWKRFgZ0

I don't see it as being militant at all. The Catholic Church can be dated back to St. Peter in its origins. The Protestants were, and in some people's opinions still, heretics that broke away under the teachings of Martin Luther. I don't dispute the wealth that is maintained in the Vatican and it definitely could be put forward in greater use. Maybe now that we have someone who could be a reformed in the papal office, we'll start seeing more of it dispersed. I also won't dispute that The Church has had a very bloody past. Some felt the need to spread the word by forced conversion or killing those that didn't agree. Unfortunately it is something that continues to go on to this day, especially with the Jews and Muslims. The issues with child abuse are also disgusting and hopefully we finally see true accountability towards those bishops that have been sheltering the criminals.
Venture, you are a good ambassador for your church in an age where its belief system and customs are viewed with suspicion, hostility and confusion by modern folk who lack a spiritual connection and view it from a secular point of view. I personally find it amazing that an institution could survive for so long through the rise and fall of governments, cultural phases and changing technology. I've been around Catholics all my life and have been the recipient of their kindness and steadfastness quite a few times. I don't agree with all the theology but I have to say, overall, I trust - and love - the church. And I say that, not to defend its lapses - those are indefensible. I'm happy that the church has Pope Francis and look forward to getting to know him.

Can the same not be said of Joel Osteen, other American TV preachers or mega churches here in the metro?

Not all, but some. But you've probably already made the stereotype

Venture, you are a good ambassador for your church in an age where its belief system and customs are viewed with suspicion, hostility and confusion by modern folk who lack a spiritual connection and view it from a secular point of view. I personally find it amazing that an institution could survive for so long through the rise and fall of governments, cultural phases and changing technology. I've been around Catholics all my life and have been the recipient of their kindness and steadfastness quite a few times. I don't agree with all the theology but I have to say, overall, I trust - and love - the church. And I say that, not to defend its lapses - those are indefensible. I'm happy that the church has Pope Francis and look forward to getting to know him.

I am by no means the perfect Catholic. I've found my way stray from the church many times when I disagreed on issues. However, I look at all relationships in the context that there isn't going to be 100% agreement on everything. You take the good with the bad unless it just gets too overwhelming. In addition to that I'm a fan of all the pageantry that surrounds these institutions and gives us a look back in time. So much history and tradition has been lost in the rush to modernize everything that it is sad.

You don't have to be a perfect Catholic to be a good ambassador. All the things you mentioned are also important. And if you were a perfect Catholic, they'd likely have sent you to the Vatican and then, where would we be come storm season? :)

You don't have to be a perfect Catholic to be a good ambassador. All the things you mentioned are also important. And if you were a perfect Catholic, they'd likely have sent you to the Vatican and then, where would we be come storm season? :)

As long as I would get to play in the Archives. :)

Peter the Roman.........?

Peter the Roman.........?

You're gonna have to 'splain that one.

Google Prophecy of St. Malachy.