How to resolve AdBlock issue? LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the newest pope stepped out to meet the world on Wednesday, local Catholics responded with hope and enthusiasm that he’s the right man to lead the church forward.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, emerged from behind a red velvet curtain to greet his worldwide flock on Wednesday, less than an hour after the white smoke signaling his selection rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, according to a Vatican press statement.
The vote that made Bergoglio pope was the third in the conclave, which began on Tuesday, according to the Vatican.
The archbishop of Buenos Aires and son of Italian immigrants, Bergoglio was made a cardinal in February 2001 by Pope John Paul II, the Vatican reported. He’s known to be doctrinally conservative.
The new pope chose for himself the name Francis. The Vatican said he will be the first of the 266 popes to bear the name Francis, is the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to rise to the office. He is the first pope since Syrian-born Gregory III – pope from 731 to 741 AD – not to be born in Europe.
“The name he chose was fantastic,” said Fr. Ron Serban, dean of the Catholic Churches in Lake and Mendocino counties, and pastor of St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Lakeport and St. Peter Mission in Kelseyville.
Serban believes the name choice refers to St. Francis of Assisi, who he said rebuilt the church literally and spiritually, was the patron saint of Italy and is known for his love of animals and nature.
Serban also finds meaning in the name for another reason: He said Lake County’s Catholics were, at one time, under the leadership of the Franciscans. “It’s restoring our spirituality.”
Bergoglio has reportedly lived his life in extreme simplicity, living in a small apartment, taking public transit and cooking his own meals. He is said to have a heart for the poor, an approach that Serban believes hearkens to the tradition that St. Francis of Assisi set.
Serban also pointed to the famous prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, which begins, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” and outlines a desire to sow love, bring hope and pardon in a troubled world.
Indeed, the new pope exhibited a common, pastoral touch in his first moments on the world stage.
“Good evening. You know that the duty of the Conclave was to give Rome a bishop. It seems that my brother cardinals picked him from almost the ends of the earth. But here we are! I thank you for the warm welcome. The diocesan community of Rome has its bishop. Thank you!” he said, before asking Catholics to join him in praying for his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, now styled “bishop emeritus.”
During the brief appearance, Pope Francis bowed and asked for the blessings and prayers of the faithful before offering his own prayers.
For Catholics, Pope Francis’ ascension to the throne of St. Peter is an important moment in history.
“There is a sense of newness, there is a sense of hope, there is a sense of expectation and anticipation,” Diocese of Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa told Lake County News in a Wednesday interview.
On Wednesday the group Catholics United, which has been sharply critical of some church leaders for the handling of the sexual abuse scandal – the group last month called on retired Los Angeles Archbishop Cardinal Roger Mahony not to take part in the conclave – said that just like St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis “has been called to rebuild the worldwide Church on Earth.”
“We are grateful to have a leader like Francis, with a long history of solidarity with the poor in the developing world, to continue to guide the Church into the 21st century,” Catholics United Executive Director James Salt.
Salt added, “We hope and pray that our Jesuit Holy Father has the wisdom and strength to direct the faithful around the world in a radical new direction: one that emphasizes the rich tradition of caring first for the least among us. May he be a prophetic voice of hope against oppression, and a leader of a social justice renewal of the world.”
While the papacy is steeped in 2,000 years of tradition, the church has very modern concerns, among them, child sexual abuse scandals and a belief by many that the church’s conservative doctrine leaves some groups – including women and the LGBT community – disenfranchised.
There also is the issue of fewer people affiliating with the church, particularly in the United States.
A survey released on Tuesday by the University of California, Berkeley and Duke University found that religious affiliation in the United States is at its lowest point since it began to be tracked in the 1930s. Among those surveyed, one-quarter identified themselves as Catholics.
“I rejoice in faith and trust that this will be a good shepherd for us as long as he lives or is able to serve,” said Bishop Vasa, whose diocese covers six counties – including Lake – and is home to 165,000 Catholics.
Bishop Vasa said he trusted in the Holy Spirit that the cardinals involved in the papal conclave elected a man whose gifts will serve the church.
He said that the new pope is a relative unknown to the body of American Catholics. “He is very much a blank slate for me,” said Vasa, who said the new pope’s first apostolic letters and encyclicals will reveal more about his approach.
Vasa said Bergoglio will bring to his office a heart and love for the poor and disenfranchised, which his typical of the South American bishops, who deal with so much extreme poverty.
“For him to bring that sentiment to the papal office is really wonderful,” said Vasa.
Kelseyville resident Monica Buehnerkemper greeted Pope Francis’ election with enthusiasm.
“I feel very blessed and excited,” she said. “Everything I've read and heard about Pope Francis I shows he's humble and compassionate. He truly lives his faith in word and deed. I agree with his conservative beliefs, although not popular in today's culture.”
Like Serban, she also loved the new pope’s choice of names, noting St. Francis of Assisi was known for his spreading of peace and unity. “I believe that speaks volumes in and of itself,” she said.
Bishop Vasa said he and his staff had debated if the new pope had chosen his name for St. Francis of Assisi or St. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.
While Serban said he believes the name choice was for St. Francis of Assisi, he pointed out that there could be other influences – such as St. Francis De Sales, the faithful and gentle early 17th century bishop of Geneva, also known for his mystical writings, or St. Francis Solano, patron saint of Argentina.
“Pick one, they’re all great,” said Serban.
Even though Pope Francis and the Holy See are thousands of miles away, Serban said the new pope will have a definite impact on local Catholics, explaining that priests are guided by their bishops and church leaders and the tone they set.
The election of the new pope has people very excited, said Serban.
While visiting a Lakeport grocery store on Wednesday, he said five people stopped him to discuss the news. The cashier, who was not Catholic, told him the news was “great.”
Serban believes the cardinals’ choice is “the perfect man to help us” move forward, adding the best is yet to come.
“This man clearly is going to put us in a very positive direction,” Serban said.
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