Our New Pope, Francis I

Our New Pope Francis.

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm excited for the future of the Catholic Church.  Pope Francis seems like someone who will lead the church out of its nightmare and into the footsteps of Christ. And he had me at hello when he picked the name of my favorite saint, Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis was born in 1182 to a wealthy Italian Catholic family from the Italian town of Assisi. He fought as a soldier. He renounced the world at age 23 and took a vow of poverty. He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. If you have never read the Prayer of Saint Francis, here is a link. It is one of the most simply profound and beautiful prayers ever written.  Saint Francis Prayer

By all accounts, the new Pope, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoligo of Argentina, has modeled his own ministry on the teachings of Saint Francis.  According to AP reporter, Nicole Winfield, "...took the bus to work, kissed the feet of AIDS patients and prayed with former prostitutes, eschewing the luxurious residence that would have been his due as archbishop of Buenos Aires." See, Yahoo article: New Style of papacy: Pope Francis Pays Hotel Bill March 15, 2013.

Yesterday, when he took his official oath, Pope Francis I broke tradition by standing among the other cardinals and not sitting on a throne. This speaks volumes about who he is and how he is going to lead. It takes a lot of courage and confidence to break tradition in the Catholic Church. I think he is going to give the powers behind the power a run for their money!