After two voting sessions in Vatican City that resulted in black smoke billowing into the sky, the third vote brought the desired result — white smoke spewing from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, and a new pope.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76-year-old cardinal and former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected pope during the cardinals’ conclave Tuesday afternoon.
He will succeed Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation in February.
Bergoglio is the first to take on the name of Francis for the Roman Catholic Church in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who had a vision that Jesus Christ asked him to rebuild the church, according to a CBS News article.
He is the first non-European pope in almost 1,300 years, as well as the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit pope, according to Reuters.
Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of the Steubenville Diocese said in a statement he was pleased with the selection of Francis as the new leader of the church.
“Pope Francis comes to us from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but now is the Vicar of Christ and for whom I am most delighted to serve as one of his bishops,” Monforton said. “The church in South America has blessed us with one of its sons to bear witness to a world that there is always hope.”
Past controversies involving sex abuse scandals have placed the church under scrutiny, however a new pope could be seen as a sign of change, said Loren Lybarger, an associate professor of world religion at Ohio University.
“(The church) is symbolically identifying that its future is looking forward,” Lybarger said. “There was anger and hatred against the priest hierarchy, and Pope Francis could be seen as a symbol of new hope.”
Some OU students who practice Catholicism said they were excited about the new pope and the many firsts that come along with the selection.
“After watching him speak for the first few moments, I have a very positive opinion of him,” said Zane Simon, a sophomore studying electrical engineering and computer science. “Also, I’m definitely excited that he’s the first Latin-American pope.”
With Francis taking on the role of the church’s leader, Monforton said the election is a celebration within itself.
“Today came the joyful news of the gift of the Holy Spirit in the person of Pope Francis,” he said. “Since the announcement of the resignation of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, we have prayed incessantly for God’s guidance of the cardinal electors for the next successor of St. Peter.”
hy135010@ohiou.edu
