His Eminence, Jorge Mario Bergoglio will be known from this day forward as His Holiness, Francis I.
The Holy Father chooses the name by which he will be known, and this choice will no doubt be the cause of much speculation over the coming days and weeks ... indeed years. At a time when the Church in so many parts of the world has been distanced (or some would say has distanced herself) from the faithful, a Pope from the Americas will have to do some major rebuilding: of confidence and trust among those who are broken, of belief among the unbelievers, of peace, the gift for which so many long.
The 266th Successor of Peter will probably not use the return portion of his airline ticket. Instead he has already begun the work of rebuilding the Church. It is by no mistake that this Servant of the servants of God, who was born on December 17, 1936. He obtained a Master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Buenos Aires before entering the Society of Jesus on March 11, 1958. He also holds a Licentiate in Philosophy and has taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada in Santa Fe, and the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.
He has been a priest since December 13, 1969. He has served as Novice Master at the Seminary of San Miguel, and later as Provincial Superior (1973-1979). In 1980, he became the rector of the Seminary of San Miguel, a post which he held until 1986, when he departed for Germany to do Doctoral studies. After defending his Doctoral thesis, he returned to his homeland to serve as confessor and spiritual director at Cordoba.
On February 28, 1998, he was named Archbishop of Buenos Aires, a position which is now left vacant by today's papal election. On the same day of his appointment as Archbishop of that particular church, he was also appointed Ordinary for all Eastern Catholics in Argentina. On February 21, 2001, he was created Cardinal by His Holiness, John Paul II.
As Cardinal, Bergoglio became known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice. A simple lifestyle contributed to his reputation for humility. He lived in a small apartment, rather than in the palatial bishop's residence. He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favor of public transportation,and he reportedly cooked his own meals.
His Holiness, Francis I is the first Jesuit to ever be elected to the Chair of Peter. He is also the first American and the first non-European since Pope Saint Gregory III who was born in Syria and reigned from 731 to 741.
His initial utterances from the loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica already betray the heart of a true Shepherd which beats within him. This is a man who is familiar with the compassion of Christ, for he was among the first to reach out to the faithful of Argentina who are suffering the ravages of AIDS. He knows too that the Church longs for the face of compassion and mercy, the gifts of the Spirit which will model the values of respect, compassion and sensitivity for all people.
The whole world will now be watching to see how these gifts will be shared, and how they will mould the Church in the future.
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