Image from Fox News
“We Have A Pope!” As a Catholic I will remember March 13, 2013 as the day I witnessed a very blessed and time-honored tradition of the election of a new Pope. As I sat and watched the live feed of St. Peter’s Square the energy of the crowd gathered outside the balcony was palpable! I think what was most incredible, and perhaps indicated a sense of divinity, was that I felt connected with all those people in the square and all the Catholics around the world as we watched an important event in our history.
Pope Francis I was elected by Divine Will on the second day of conclave after the historical resignation of Pope Benedict. Pope Francis was the first pope to be elected from outside of Europe in 1300 years. He was a Cardinal from Argentina.
Another aspect about this election that I think is quite miraculous is how such an event brings so many people together including those that are not even Catholic. The live feed that I was watching also had a live twitter feed and several tweets were from people, who were not Catholic, expressing a sense of connection. It isn’t coincidence that I wasn’t the only who felt the connection.
I like our new pope. I’m excited to see what he will do for the church. I’m sure all the folks who like to target the Catholic Church will be finding anything to mock and criticize Pope Francis. I will pray for a successful and blessed papacy as he leads the Catholic Church into the future.
It is a pretty historic day today for Catholics around the world; for the first time in nearly 600 years the Pope has announced he will resign from the papal office. I’m not what you call a “Cradle Catholic” nor was I raised a Catholic. In fact this Easter I will have been officially Catholic for only 7 years though I feel like I have tried to practice the faith while I was growing up and even while in college.