Guadalajara -
The Roman Catholic College of Cardinals today chose Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the next pope. He succeeds Benedict XVI, who resigned and retired Feb. 28.
Bergoglio, 76, is an ordained priest of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. The Jesuits are perhaps the most prestigious of all the Roman Catholic orders. They serve principally as educators around the world, at the preparatory, college and university levels. (The Ugly American - and the Jesuits).
Cardinal Bergoglio was born Dec. 17, 1936, the son of an Italian immigrant railroad worker and one of five children. He entered the Jesuit order in 1958. Bergoglio was named archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and became a cardinal in 2001. He resigned as archbishop in 2012, when he turned 75.
Today's selection was determined by majority vote of the 115 cardinals eligible to cast ballots. There are 209 cardinals, but those over 80 may not participate in the papal selection process, the Conclave.
Cardinal Bergoglio chose the name Pope Francis - the first time in Church history that name has been selected. He is the 266th pope, and the first non-European since the Church was founded.
The Jesuits are often regarded as the most liberal wing of the Roman Catholic Church. They have frequently clashed with the Vatican over the centuries. But Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, is a mainstream voice on critical doctrinal issues. He is opposed to abortion and euthanasia, and has spoken out against proposed same-sex marriage legislation in Argentina. He is a strong advocate for the poor, who comprise most of the population of the burgeoning Americas (Mexico's impoverished grew by more than 11% in two years, with 13 million citizens in extreme conditions).
Mar. 15 - Vatican defends Pope Francis, as accusations of support for Argentine dictatorship swirl
Feb. 12 - World bookies bet heavily that new pope will be Mexican
Jan. 28 - Should narco criminals be forgiven? Mexico's Catholic Church implores victims to do so
Dec. 20, 2011 - Mexican church leaders say Pope doesn't support any political candidate
© MGR 2013. All rights reserved. This article may be cited or briefly quoted with proper attribution or a hyperlink, but not reproduced without permission
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