Redeemer Radio News

On Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 7:06 in the afternoon Rome time, the world was blessed with a new vicar of Christ.  Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis. He was elected on the fifth ballot of the conclave on the second day.  As the world watched the smoke stack of the Sistine Chapel, waiting, the smoke came at 7:06 Rome time, and it was White!! Habemus Papam!

Keep Pope Francis in prayer as he becomes the New Pope of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome.  Prayer Card

Pope Francis

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis is a 79-year-old Argentine Cardinal from Buenos Aires, has been selected as the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.  He is the first pope ever to be elected from South America, the first Jesuit to hold the position, First non-European, and the first Francis.

Pope Francis is taking his name from the most popular saint around the world, St. Francis of Assisi. The saint who heard Christ command "Rebuild me Church." St. Francis of Assisi is renowned for his humility and simplicity which is a indication of Pope Francis' spirituality. Pope Francis gives every appearance of being very spiritual along with Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis is known as a pro-life champion who has a reputation for social justice. He is also a Catholic theologian who has written a book with a Jewish rabbi.

Coat of Arms and Motto

During a Vatican press conference on Monday, March 18th, Pope Francis' coat of arms and motto were unveiled.  The coat of arms is almost identical to his Cardinal coat of arms.  From the Vatican Information Service, here are details about the symbols found on Pope Francis' coat of arms:

The shield has a bright blue background, at the centre top of which is a yellow radiant sun with the IHS christogram on it representing Jesus (it is also the Jesuit logo). The IHS monogram, as well as a cross that pierces the H, are in red with three black nails directly under them. Under that, to the left, is a star representing Mary, Mother of Christ and the Church. To the right of the star is a nard flower representing Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. With these symbols the Pope demonstrates his love for the Holy Family.

Pope Francis' papal motto, is the same one that he used while he was Bishop in Buenos Aires. It is: "miserando atque eligendo" meaning "by having mercy; by choosing him" It is from the homily of the Vererable Bede on the call of St. Matthew. Vatican Radio explains the significance of this passage to the Holy Father:

This homily, which focuses on divine mercy and is reproduced in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Saint Matthew, has taken on special significance in the Pope's life and spiritual journey.

In fact it was on the Feast of Saint Matthew in 1953 that a young, seventeen-year-old Jorge Bergoglio was touched by the mercy of God and felt the call to religious life in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

News

For Information and news on Pope Francis.

Date		Article	Resource
3/13/13	Link	White smoke Pope has been elected - Video	Rome Reports
3/13/13	Link	Francis to Faithful: 'Pray for me, Trust in Me' - Video	Rome Report
3/13/13	Link	Pope Francis: His First Words	News.va
3/14/13	Link	Pope Francis: 1st homily (full text)	Vatican Radio
3/14/13	Link	Rooftops and Relevance	OSV
3/17/13	Link	Pope's first Angelus: God never gets tired of forgiving. We get tired of asking for forgiveness - Video	Rome Reports
3/19/13	Link	Pope gets our of Popemobile to bless disabled man before Inaugural Mass - Video	Rome Reports
3/19/13	Link	Pope: Homily for inaugural Mass of Petrine Ministry	News.va
3/19/13	Link	Pope Francis - Homily at Mass of Inauguration - Video	Salt and Light TV
3/20/13	Link	Hundreds of volunteers helped at the Pope's First Mass in St. Peter's Square - video	Rome Reports
3/20/13	Link	Meet the three people Pope Francis wanted front and center, during his Inaugural Mass - Video	Rome Reports
3/23/13	Link	Pope Francis Meets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI	National Catholic Register
3/24/13	Link	The Palm Sunday Homily of Pope Francis	The Catholic World Report
3/26/13	Link	Pope Francis to live in Vatican guesthouse, not papal apartments	Catholic News Service
3/27/13	Link	Self-absorption is root of evil within church, future pope said	Catholic News Service
3/4/13	Link	Pope continues ctechesis on the Year of Faith - video	Rome Reports
4/24/13	Link	Pope Francis: Let's not be 'sleeping Christians' - Video	Rome Report