New Pope!

Historically interesting to me, but that's all. I'm not Catholic or religious so it holds no 'real' meaning to me.

Yes, I am watching. And as folks answer you, I respectfully ask that we refrain from bashing the church on this one day and, instead, pray in your own way, for an increase in peace throughout the world. Peace to you all.

I am Catholic and find the process fascinating. I love the tradition. I was hoping for a less conservative leader, though.

And, one person asked why it was so important because only 25% of people in our country are Catholic. That's a lot considering another 51% of people classify themselves as 'Christian' spanning 30 religious groupings.

I am definitely watching. I'm really not sure what to say yet. I'm really surprised and hopeful that a non-European was chosen. First time in history!!! On the other hand, he's been called a "staunch conservative." As B said, not exactly the breath of fresh air I was hoping for.

Only time will tell. John XXIII surprised many people with Vatican II. There's always hope!

I'm very hurt and sadden by some of the responses. Some people aren't Catholic and some people have some negative feelings towards the Catholic Church. I get that. The Church is far from perfect. But, really, several of the comments have been quite hurtful. Is that really necessary?

My daughters and I were glued to the TV -- even my husband, a definite non-Catholic -- watched.

Like others, I'm a little disappointed that he's not been known as a progressive -- though I'm not surprised. It will be really, really interesting to see how a Jesuit does as Pope!

On this day, I join Catholics around the world as we pray for this man: that he may have compassion, humility, intelligence, an open mind, an inclusive heart and the spirituality needed to guide this Church on Earth through tumultuous times. And I include all leaders of our world in a prayer for peace and understanding worldwide.

Habemus Papam! Veni, Sancte Spiritus.

Kind of neat that there is finally a pope from the North Americas! Congrats to our Catholic members!

I stood in that very square a few months ago, so yes - it touches my heart.

To me it's interesting that they picked someone from Argentina of Italian descent, and a Jesuit.

I got annoyed when CNN kept saying his papal name was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi when it also could have been Francis Xavier who was a founding Jesuit. Of course now the Vatican has come out and said that St. Francis of Assisi was the inspiration but I still wonder. It just made me laugh when CNN was basically guessing at first.

When we were in Rome our rooms were right near Church of the Gesu so I got re-immersed to a certain extent in the Jesuit history.

Very interesting.

I haven't checked in the news yet, but I 'knew' last night he would be chosen, I could 'see' the white smoke. And that an italian name came to me too, I knew he wouldn't be from europe too. When it came through I thought, hmmm, that'll be different.

I was raised with a catholic mother and a agnostic father. I'm not catholic but I've learned to appreciate this religion after many years of wasted destain, as well as all religions.

Tina M - Catholics do not think the pope is like God or is God, they believe he is guided by The Christ, by The Holy Spirit, just as you believe your pastor is guided by the same.
Keep your thoughts open. God is not religious. We don't really think we can obtain or contain God to a religion do we.? That said, the Catholic and Jewish religions are lovely and rich in tradition and ritual and their meanings, imo.

Enough said, or maybe I've said too much already

Yes, looks like he will be a good pope, from what I've read about him. One thing that made me laugh when listening to the secular media report on the whole process--comments like, well, maybe the new pope will change what catholics believe and update thier beliefs to fit the times...maybe he'll be "progressive".

Um, Is the pope Catholic? To be catholic = to be conservative = to be orthodox. Liberal catholicism is a contradiction in terms. The media just doesn't get that, and it's so hilarious.... Does the truth change? No, and so the teachings and dogma of the church don't change.

I don't think I could care less, honestly.

I am less then interested.

For those who are Catholic , congrats.

I will leave it at that.

Tina M. Thank you for making me feel sane. I have issues with the fact that the catholic church does hold him as a figure head. to the extent that they do.

I'm watching only because it has preempted all other news. It is surprising to me how pervasive it is, given that only 25% of this nation is Catholic. Somewhat on the order of British royal weddings...

ETA: I don't understand what is in these comments that would "hurt" someone. When someone disapproves of the Methodist church I attend now or the Lutheran church I grew up in, I may wonder about their opinion, where it came from, how they formed it, I might even consider disagreeing with them if I'm so inclined. But I'm not "hurt" by their opinions. Why would I be? I am not responsible for the church. My choice is mine, and others' choices are their own. What is there to be hurt by when someone expresses their opinion about how a church is led or states they aren't interested because they aren't Catholic? How does that hurt you personally?? Considering what people could have written on the well-known controversies of the church, the comments here are pretty mild.

ETA: I didn't ask why it's important. I get why it is. I get that it's a lot of the religious portion of our country and our world. What I'm surprised by is that it preempts all other news for the past few days when it is, no matter what portion of the religious public, still only a quarter of our population.

I bet it will be a man.. He is being fitted for those fabulous red shoes!!

I have.
it was very exciting.
many blessings

I'm cautiously optimistic. There have been so many priests and other Catholic leaders on the news today, and I'm hearing different things. But a couple of things give me hope. First, he chose the name Francis. I've heard some say that might indicate that he desires the Church to live the Gospel more fully and wants to see the Church do a better job in the world (ie, the sex scandle). Also, he is not from Europe! That is huge!!! I know some people wanted an American, but I don't think the Church (and it is a world church) is anywhere near ready for that.

I have to disagree with Becky about the term "Liberal Catholic." I consider myself to be a Liberal Catholic, and I do not in any way consider it to be a contradiction in terms. While it is true that the moral teachings of the Church cannot change (the Church will never be ok with Abortion), there are many things about the Church that can and should change. Why can't a priest get married? We already have priests who are actively serving who are married. Why can't woman be priests or deacons? I don't see this changing in the near future, but those are definite possibilities.

Remember, this is a Church that used to condone slavery and segregation. This is a Church that used to allow the decedents of priest to inherent the land and had huge problems with nepotism. This is a Church that used to insist that the only language a Mass could be celebrated in was Latin.

I think a progressive pope would be a wonderfully positive thing for the Catholic Church. Sometimes it can be very easy to dig our heals into the sand and refuse to consider the possibility that another way might be better. (My personal definition of conservative.) It would be great to have a leader who is strong enough to take a critical look at the Catholic Church and honestly ask the question, "What can we do to make this better? How can we be better disciples of Christ?"

They chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina and he chose to be called Pope Francis.
He's 76 and he's suppose to be very conservative.
In the past "he has clashed with the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner over his opposition to gay marriage and free distribution of contraceptives."
I'm not sure what effect that will have on membership.
He's not the breath of fresh air some were hoping for.

Wow...that was fast! I can't stay to watch--gotta go pick my son up from school...thank God I have an iPhone and LOTS of red lights along my route to his school ;-)

ETA: I honestly don't know much about Cardinal Bergoglio, so I will have to do some digging to see what I think about his election. I won't rely on the selective "news" to tell me what kind of a man he is, I'll look at his writings and at history, as well as consult some of my Argentinian friends to see what they think.

ETA for Dawn--South America, dear ;-)

ETA: I think the choosing of the name "Francis" after St. Francis of Assisi is a good clue as to what kind of a pope he will be. St. Francis gave up his family's wealth and instead took the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and ministered to the poor. He rebuilt the church in Assisi, which had been destroyed in an earthquake.

My favorite prayer, The Peace Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Yep, I'm watching! I'm curious if this pope will change the direction of the Church, or continue on with John Paul and Benedict's trends.

Took a quick look at a headline.

It's none of my business, I guess, b/c I'm not Catholic, but I like that they elected a non-European for the first time ever. Am less happy about his alleged history with the fascist Argentine junta, but who knows -- maybe he's changed or evolved on that score; people do.

I am not Catholic..nor have I ever been Catholic but this is very fascinating to watch. It is historical. A Pope resigning and then the "political"/spiritual process that takes place to choose the next Pope.

It will be very interesting to me to see the "platform" of this new Pope. How will he address the pedophile scandal, the drastic drop in valiant Catholic attendees and address progressive social issues?

I for one am a traditional/conservative Christian. I wonder if the Catholic church will continue to hold to it's traditional/conservative values...or change with societal "norms".

I am not watching the news but will check in later today.

Catholics are liberal by definition. Liberal simply means "when you have more info, you re-evaluate your beliefs" instead of sticking with the Status Quo. Why do people have to make it more complicated than that? Plenty of beliefs in the Church have changed over the years, ever hear of Vatican 2? Speaking the native language in Mass and nuns not always having to wear their habits were two things that changed dramatically. The Church changes with the times, it takes them a while in most cases, but it does change. Priests used to get married, many popes in centuries past were only Minor Popes, many beliefs have changed over the years. Growing up Catholic, we were always taught to follow our own conscience, even if it contradicted Church teaching. I am no longer a Catholic, but I was schooled by them all the way through college and studied quite a bit of Theology to boot. To say it's a conservative religion is bunk. Anyone who says that obviously doesn't know a lot about the Church's history.

That said, I don't understand why a new Pope is so interesting to anyone besides Catholics. I'd much prefer to watch the whole institution crumble to the ground, but that's me.

Unfortunately I missed it, but I caught it on the news on the ride home from work.

And sadly, I didn't do my research ahead of time this go-around. I know next to nothing about our new Pontiff other than "he's 74 years old."