A NEW HOLY FATHER!
Sister: How did you experience the election of our new Holy Father Pope Francis?
What is your response to his first few days?
CA:I was lucky enough to be at home, and I saw the whole thing live,from the first puff of white smoke.
Sister: Did you catch the bird on the chimney?
Ca: so very exciting. wasn’t it a little white bird?
Sister: They say it was a seagull. I took a print screen pic of it immediately!
It sat there for over a half hour- I then knew we’d have a Pope that day!
Ca: Ooh…a seabird that is a fisherman….
Sister: I did not think of that!!
CA: Yes, seagulls are mainly known for being scavengers, but they do fish.
Sister: Most of our community gathered in the Assembly Room to watch
And pray
Ca: oh yes, I prayed very hard as I wondered which Cardinal would emerge on the balcony
it was very hard to wait, wasn’t it?
Sister: Were you surprised?
Ca: I was, even though I’d felt sure the Pope would be someone totally not on all the “shortlists’
Sister: and a South American as it seemed you had hoped, somewhat
CA: Yes, I did hope for someone from the Americas, or from Africa, to bring a new cultural perspective into the Vatican
Sister: It turns out there were several articles about him, or by him in the 30 days magazine, which has been discontinued but were still on our mag rack
CA: but I am very happy he seems to be conservative theologically
Sister: I posted some because you can get it on line
Ca: And not only is he Argentinian, he’s a Jesuit, she says with a big big smile
Sister: Yes he holds solid theological positions yet is an innovator too, in how he is introducing his pontificate
Ca: I love how he ended his first address “good night and sleep well”. the press out here was baffled, “sleep well?” they all said-seriously, “sleep well?” who IS this guy?
Yes, I love how he refused all the normal perqs like the limo, but instead got on the bus with the others.
Sister: Already I am thinking how the cloistered nuns can better be one with the poor
Ca: There was a short clip yesterday of him going into the papal apartments with this look on his face like “are you kidding me?
Sister: I did not see that! Are the papal apts fancy?
CA: How? other than through prayer, how does a cloister reach out?
PM
Ca: oh, they are terribly fancy–marble floors, huge heavy furniture, all that gilt trim
Sister: We take retreatants. So if the pastors of poorer parishes would recommend some parishioners that would be one way
Ca: He just looked around like he was already planning on redecorating!
Sister: He probably won’t even live there! The first Pope to live outside the Vatican even!
Ca: It seems to me like he might try to “run” from all that opulence
I can imagine all those cardinals who work in Rome will be spending some time in hospitals and schools now
CA: #6 http://www.30giorni.it/articoli_id_21062_l3.htm
Sister: Yes- it will touch consciences deeply
Mar 17 2013, 8:00 PM
J: I loved how he waited outside the Church today after Mass to talk to people
Ca: one reported quipped thursday, after Francis refused all the finery, and then snuck out to St Mary’s to pray, that he was giving a whole new definition of the term “vatileaks”
the press is having fun. after Francis’ first sermon to the cardinals on Thursday, another one quipped “there’s a nea new sheriff in town!”
Sr. M: His personality is delightful, no question!
Sr. M: The pope is, after all, the Servant of the Servants of God. P
Sr. M I loved listening to interviews with Cardinals Dolan and Wuerl about how the Holy Spirit was working in the conclave.
J yes I saw that Sr Mary…I can listen to Dolan ll day
Mar 17 2013, 8:13 PM
J: all
Mar 17 2013, 8:13 PM
CA: J, did you hear about the toast he made to the Cardinals Wednesday night? He raised his glass and said “May God forgive you!” and later he said “I’m going to sleep very well tonight, I hope you can too!”
Sr. M: The two cardinals felt REALLY strongly that the Holy Spirit led the cardinals to a full consensus.
J: yes I heard the first part CA
Sr. M: That shows how fully the pope is depending on the Spirit’s guidance.
CA: I think the Cardinals are right about that. The Spirit has been moving very strongly of late