By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
The selection of former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new leader of the world’s one billion Catholics is a welcomed event to those of us who believe that a central part of faith is work that uplifts people who are economically burdened and bruised.
By all accounts from those who are familiar with him and his work, the new pope is a profound intellectual who has avoided the regal trappings of office. Instead, he lived in a simple apartment and traveled on public transportation while a senior church official in Argentina.
Once selected he quickly took the name of Saint Francis of Assisi, who was known for his work with people who had little wealth, but great faith. Legend has it that once while praying he heard a voice that said “go Francis and repair my house.”
Born in 1182, Saint Francis founded the Franciscan order whose members were devoted to the service of others, particularly those who found themselves in need. His life was one that many priests throughout the history of the church have attempted to emulate for its depth of belief and its vast charity.
A fan of soccer in his native country, Pope Francis refused to be driven in a chauffeured limousine and prepared his own meals. He is the first Jesuit Pope and is also the first non-European Pope in 1200 years.
I believe that Pope Francis will be inclusive, that he will seek more diversity in the leadership of the church and that he will place greater emphasis on the development of the faith in South America and Africa, two continents where the church’s population continues to grow.
According to the Pew Research Center, the five countries with the highest numbers of Catholics are Brazil (126 m), Mexico (96 m), the Philippines (75.5 m), the United States (75.3 m) and Italy (49 m). There are 31 million Catholics in Argentina, the Pope’s land of birth. Thirty-nine percent of the world’s Catholics live in Latin America and the Caribbean. No other part of the world has a larger percentage.
While serving as a Cardinal in Argentina, Pope Francis spontaneously washed and kissed the feet of twelve patients ravaged with HIV/AIDS during a hospital visit. He said to those with him that he was not one to forget the “sick and the poor.” Certainly, he will prove himself to be a pope of the people.
