‘Forgive me father, I have sinned’ took on a whole new meaning when Pope Francis decided to hold his first audience with the Press and bless them. Though there were no questions at the meeting the Holy Father thanked the Press for their hard work and dedication to duty while covering the recent Conclave that elected him as Pontiff.
Francis, who before he became pope was known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, said a fellow cardinal from Brazil had told him “don’t forget the poor” as the votes began stacking up in his favor.
This thought stuck in his mind, Francis said, as it became clear that he had won the two-thirds majority that meant he was the new pontiff.
“Right away, with regard to the poor, I thought of St. Francis of Assisi, then I thought of war,” he told the assembled journalists. “Francis loved peace and that is how the name came to me.”
Meanwhile, the world is quickly learning about Pope Francis’ devotion to the poor and how he believes in simplicity. The faithful around the world see the new Pontiff is like a breath of fresh air. Meanwhile back in Argentina his only surviving sibling, sister Maria Elena says she wants ” to give a hug” to her big brother who is 11 years her senior. Maria Elena says her brother fulfilled his duties diligently as a priest but even she could never have imagined he would be Pope. Meanwhile the Pope’s favorite soccer team San Lorenzo are over the moon by the news that their devoted fan is now Pope. the club have twitted the news to the world along with a photo of the former Cardinal holding up the club’s crest. It is not surprising San Lorenzo would be the Pope’s team as the club was named after a priest who allowed boy’s to play soccer in the church yard rather than be in danger by kicking a ball on the streets.
