Tag Archives: Jorge Bergoglio

Rome awating Pope inauguration Mass

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“Ambiguous” new papal coat of arms

Rome is feverishly awaiting the inauguration of the new Pope Francis I. on Tuesday. Delegations from 132 countries, more than 80 heads of state met on Monday in Rome to attend the service for the enthronement of the Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

The Holy See maintains diplomatic relations with 179 countries. “We expect that about 250,000 people will attend the divine service,” reported the Vatican spokesman, father Federico Lombardi. The rough estimate of the Roman city administration is that up to one million people could attend. The Vatican is “certainly happy if that many people participate.”

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Mugabe once again causes discord

The Italian government already raised the safety precautions up to a maximum, and the city of Rome, which has slightly more than 2.5 million has set all the machinery in motion to cope with the rush of the faithful. Thousands of security forces are on duty to ensure the safety of the heads of State and Government. Drastic restrictions of air traffic over Rome were put into effect. Snipers, bomb experts, dog patrols and motorcycle units are on duty.

The Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who had travelled to Rome despite an EU travel ban, caused polemic. Zimbabwe argues that the Vatican is a sovereign state and therefore not affected by EU travel ban. The EU travel ban against dictator Mugabe applies since 2002. However, the controversial African head of State traveled to Rome in 2005 for the funeral of Pope John Paul II. He also went there in May 2011, to attend the celebrations for the beatification of Pope John Paul II.

New fisherman’s ring will be presented

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Speculations about “Latino”-Pope

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Cardinals from Latin America have in different ways expressed their preferences for a “Latino”-Pope. The Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer is considered the Latin American favorite.

According to the Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, the political and geographical background of the candidates will  not tip the scales in the upcoming Papal Election. At the Conclave, these criteria will remain sidelined, said the Archbishop of Lima on Wednesday  in the Peruvian capital. The Cardinals would be guided  in their decision only by the personal attributes of candidates. Since the announced resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, there is also speculations whether Latin Americans or Africans could be his successor.

Even the choice of a non-Cardinal Cipriani considers to be possible: “That would be unusual, but the resignation of the Pope was unusual too. It cannot be ruled out.” When asked whether he himself would be on hand, the Archbishop said: “No. This is too hard and also a special preparation is necessary to do so.” Many persons were better prepared than he is. Cipriani is the only representative of the Peruvian Church in the forthcoming Conclave.

However, if Venezuelan Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino had to decide, then the successor of Benedict XVI. would come from Central or South America. “Hopefully this time we can bring this joy to Latin America, but we leave it to God, who will lead the hearts and minds of the Cardinals to decide,” the 70-year-old archbishop of Caracas, saidon Wednesday in his episcopal city.

The Mexican Cardinal Jose Francisco Robles Ortega (63) calls for “a more open and globalized vision” of the Catholic Church by the future Pope. Topics such as the rejection to same-sex marriage, abortion, and women in the priesthood are however “non-negotiable”,  the Archbishop of Guadalajara, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

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