Nunzio vobis, gaudium magnum, habemus Papam! He chose the name Benedict XVI. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, a German, is the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He turned 78 just 4 days ago. After his election to the papacy, he said:
“dopo il grande Papa Giovanni Paolo II, i signori cardinali hanno eletto me, un semplice e umile lavoratore nella vigna del Signore” (After the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord).
Many say that he will be a conservative pope in the sense that he will staunchly defend traditional Catholic doctrines and say no to women ordination, same-sex marriage, abortion, artificial contraceptives, and liberation theology. I am not sure what kind of Pontiff he will be, but I hope that he will pay close attention to socio-political issues, particularly the promotion of the rights of children, women, migrants, the oppressed, the powerless, and the poor.
Even if he is our Holy Father, he also needs our prayer. We pray that he will always be attentive to God’s voice and submit fully to His will and that he will truly be a simple and humble servant of God and His people.
The last time I was in the Vatican it took me more than 13 hours of snaillike walk to pay homage to Pope John Paul II. Yesterday evening was completely different – we had to run as fast as we could. No one expected that a pope would be elected this soon, so when the news was out everyone rushed to St. Peter’s square.
I brought the Philippine flag with me and it added colors to the celebration. I met some pinoys in the crowd and we all said “Mabuhay” to each other.
I arrived just in time for the new pope to give the blessing “Urbi et orbi”.
I feel so blessed to be in Rome as a new chapter in world history unfolded.
My My! great pose, with St. Peter’s Basilica as backdrop to our Philippine flag! hmmmnnn… wish i was there!
watched CNN on time for the new pope to be announced. saw our Philippine flag waving. so proud to be pinoy…
What a sight… great shots, kakainggit
I have indeed saw the Philippine Flag waving among the crowd. And it felt good to see it.
good point!those are very important issues….you make us proud everytime you display our flag. great pictures!
How i envy you for being there! care to trade places with me?
I’m pleased with the new Pope though. I rather have someone conservative that someone radical. Ultimately, faithfulness to the WORD is not about traditions, and should not conform to the patterns of the world
lucky you!
You and Fr. Fil are truly blessed to have witnessed such momentous event in the history of the Catholic Church. CFA is truly proud of the MSC Fathers who were there when the new Pope was elected. Mabuhay kayong lahat!
INGENIOUS!!! when i point to the phrase “13 hours snaillike…” i came into your earlier entry about your homage to the late Pope John Paul II
…and CREATIVE ,too…
…Keep up the excellent work!!!