ARGENTINA: People elated at election of first Latin American Pope

Record ID: 447282

  • Title: ARGENTINA: People elated at election of first Latin American Pope
  • Date: 14th March 2013
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPER STAND WITH HEADLINES ABOUT ELECTION OF ARGENTINE POPE, JORGE BERGOGLIO
  • Embargoed: 29th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAA544BW0ZAOYBOVFM2DYE57BSU
  • Story Text: Catholics on the streets of Buenos Aires were in high spirits on Thursday morning (March 14) after waking up with a fellow Argentine, Jorge Bergoglio, in the Vatican.
    The 76-year-old former cardinal was elected as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday (March 13).
    Newspaper covers in the busy capital were littered with images of Bergoglio, or Pope Francis, as he will be known.
    Catholic Claudio Fortuchi said he was thrilled to have a South American at the helm of the Church.
    "I am very happy. I think it's about time that we have a South American pope," said Fortuchi.
    For Andrea Giudici, Pope Francis represents hope for the less fortunate.
    "I think he is going to be more open and very close to those in need, to the poor. And I hope he has the necessary strength because it's very important," she said.
    Jorge Ruival had faith that the new pontiff could ease economic woes in the South American nation.
    "I am happy that it's an Argentine, perhaps at least we will get out of this a bit [economic difficulties] that we are experiencing and I wish him all the best to continue," said Ruival.
    Pope Francis, a Buenos Aires native, made history as the Church's first-ever Latin American pope.
    "It's very interesting that the pope is Latin American. I hope that he can do something for the poor, for the children, so that there are less children begging in the streets. I hope everything goes well for him," said Irene Vuelta.
    For Alicia Gandulfo, the fact that a fellow Argentine was chosen to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics meant that the country was doing something right.
    "It was emotional. Argentines are very sensitive and when something touches our hearts, obviously that moves us. I said to myself, 'we are doing some things right,' said Gandulfo.
    Despite a rise in secularism and dwindling faith in the scandal-plagued Church, Latin America is home to approximately 40 percent of the world's Catholics.
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