Palash R. Ghosh
International Business Times
3/13/2013
Pope Francis I, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who faces the extremely difficult task of moving the church away from a global child sex abuse scandal and other woes, is the first South American ever elected pontiff.
The Argentine-born son of Italian immigrants, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, was formerly the archbishop of Buenos Aires and is known for his modest lifestyle, humility and dedication to social justice, as well as his adherence to conservative church doctrines.
As an example of his rejection of luxury, Bergoglio resides in a small flat, rides public transportation and even cooks his own meals, according to reports.
However, he is not without controversy. Bergoglio is reportedly linked to the controversial Comunione e Liberazione (Communion and Liberation), a conservative lay ecclesiastical movement within the Catholic Church that was once a big supporter of disgraced former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Bergoglio holds conservative views on abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality and contraception and has blasted what he calls the “culture of death” in modern society.
The church, he once told Italian media, should make sure “children grow up healthily, are adequately fed, get a good education based on sound moral principles.
“This is a battle to sustain against the many attacks on human life, against the dissemination of the culture of death,” Bergoglio said. “We cannot embrace the culture of life if we do not put our roots in Jesus, if we are not united to Him as a branch to the trunk of the vine. Because Jesus is the boss of life. It is defined as the way, the truth and the life. It is only through Jesus that we can spread this ardor, that we can have this fervor to proclaim the message of life.”…
…”The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.”…
The complete article is at International Business Times.
H/T The GatewayPundit where there is more information, and video.
Related: Shape-shifting Jesus described in ancient Egyptian text
Update: At The Blaze, So Who Exactly is the New Pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, Now Pope Francis I
…Pope Francis’ views have caused some to wonder if he endorses government-centric social justice. A Business Insider piece from last year claimed that he would embrace this ideology and embed it into the church if selected.
“Social Justice moves to the front of the Church’s concerns,” the outlet wrote of Bergoglio’s potential election. “He’d also carry out a humble papacy. Say goodbye to Benedict’s ostentation in papal clothing.”
Of course, social justice takes on many forms. Encouraging believers to treat the poor well and mandating that citizens pay more in income taxes so that monies can be redistributed — well, those are two very different animals. We’ll have to wait and see on which side Bergoglio falls…
Update 2: Deep thoughts from Piers Morgan on the new pope
Also, New Pope: No Communion for Pro-Abortion Politicians
