Pope Francis: a welcome surprise
Surprise was the single most used word this morning in St Peter's Square as Catholics learned more about Pope Francis.
Hardly anyone had expected the cardinals to reach their decision yesterday evening and many had expected a long conclave. Few expected to hear the name of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina when the new pontiff was announced.
Maltese Cardinal Prospero Grech confirmed that Cardinal Bergoglio had been the prime 'rival' to Cardinal Ratzinger eight years ago when the German was elected pontiff.
But since then his name faded away.
Reflecting on the choice of the new pontiff's name, Cardinal Grech said Pope Francis would be a reflection of simplicity following in the footsteps of St Francis.
It was a sentiment shared by Mgr John Kennedy, an official of the Church's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who described the Pope's first gestures as a sign of humility.
"The way he greeted the crowd by a simple 'brothers and sisters, good evening' was amazing," Mgr Kennedy noted.
Despite his humility, Cardinal Bergoglio is well versed about the Roman Curia, having been part of various congregations.
"He is well-loved in Argentina for his pastoral work with the poor. He is known as Fr Jorge, despite being Archbishop of Buenos Aires but he also has a wider view of things, having obtained his phd in Germany and worked in Rome," Mgr Kennedy told timesofmalta.com.
For Maltese journalist and lawyer Joe Mifsud, who was in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis was a welcome surprise.
"He immediately endeared himself through the manner how he asked people to pray on him rather then the other way round," Dr Mifsud said.
Meanwhile, in St Peter's Square preparations have already started for the installation of the Pope during an open-air Mass to be held on Tuesday morning, feast of St Joseph.
Kyle Bonello, Katrina Gauci and Andrea Bianco were among several Maltese at St Peter's Square last night.
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Emanuel Farrugia
Mar 15th, 08:47
Pope Francis is a great man with great heart. Pope Francis is 'like a saint' say Argentine embassy staff.
Emanuel Farrugia [TARXIEN] former student Faculty of Theology & FEMA UOM
Michel Bencini
Mar 15th, 02:03
I was very glad to see the archbishop of Buenos Aires elected to the Holy See. I hope he will make a difference to the church many of us love and cherish. It is going to be a great challenge to set things right and to modernize the Catholic Church which is, unfortunately, on its way out in Europe.
C Busuttil
Mar 14th, 22:06
Some soon will change opinion about him once they read his views about gays and women, he's even more conservative in their regards than JP2 and B16
adam spalding
Mar 14th, 17:57
Great a new Pope.
On day one we learn that he has described the British as usurpers in relation to the Falkland Islands.
Hopefully he will retract that opinion and concentrate on matters of the Church and the mounting problems internally to itself.
Read the history of the Falklands and it is clear that Argentina have NO claim to the Islands.
Its as ridiculous as saying Malta belongs to Libya.
Francis Sammut
Mar 14th, 19:28
With respect, what the new Pope said then was as an Archbishop of Buenos Aries and not as Pope which makes a great difference. And with regard to the Malvinas one can dispute your assertion about whom it belongs to. Sir your comparison Vis-a- vis Malta doesn't hold water at all 'cause we're not in that situation. And the islands were under the French, Spanish, English, Argentines etc etc!!!
Christopher Dimech
Mar 14th, 20:12
Geographically they belong to Argentina. Although they were uninhabited, they were colonised by Europeans and claimed by Britain. A policy and practice of a power in extending control over weaker people or areas. If the people want to be British, they should move to Britain.
manuel Attard
Mar 15th, 09:56
Read the history of the Falklands and it is clear that Argentina have NO claim to the Islands.
so being said if it would be true (and it's not) what gives the right to the British to go over there and say that it belongs to them ?
cesco di luigi
Mar 14th, 17:47
Looks like a man who practices what he preaches. What a change!!! What a lesson to all big shots.
John Caruana
Mar 14th, 16:24
Kemm ihobbna l-Mulej tghana Papa umli li ma jhobbx ix-xinxilli ta' qabel. Addio slaleb tad-deheb, addio mitri imma kollox semplici bhall-ilbies ta' San Frangisk u nitlob u ni9spera li l-Knoisja kullimkien tinza l-ilbies regali taghha u taghtih lil fqar. Ghandna rghaj mibghut mis-sema mela nimxu warajh u l-Knisja tiehu r-ruh li tilfet mall-medda tas-snin mimlija vana glorja.
bryan sullivan
Mar 14th, 15:54
what a breath of fresh air(dare I say it)at last!!! truly humbling for us normal mortals!
Jonathan Deeley
Mar 14th, 15:38
At least no one can ever accuse the Vatican of ageism in their employment procedures.
Tarcisio Vella
Mar 14th, 14:04
God bless Pope Francis. I pray that the Holy Spirit grant him God's wisdom to renew the Church.
ALBINO ELLUL
Mar 14th, 13:34
IT WAS NICE TO SEE THE MALTESE FLAGS IN ROME ESPECIALY WHEN WE WERE WATCHING THE TV IN CANADA ALBINO
M Vella
Mar 14th, 13:21
Ghandi fiducja kbira f'Papa Frangisku ghax mill-ftit li qrajt fuqu jidher bniedem b'saqajh ma' l-art u li jmur kontra d-drawwiet komdi li jkunu holqu individwi differenti tul is-sekli. Jalla l-Mulej jaghtih id-dawl biex jghin lil min hu batut, lill-fqir u lil min hu imwegggha u li jerga jghin lill-Knisja ssib gheruqha.
Carmel Attard
Mar 15th, 08:16
Well said Maria..Many Popes abondoned the suffering and the hungry..and welcomed to the fore the Dictators and war mongrels!!!
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