ARGENTINA: President Cristina Fernandez hails new Pope; thousands flock to Buenos Aires Cathedral to celebrate

Record ID: 447344

  • Title: ARGENTINA: President Cristina Fernandez hails new Pope; thousands flock to Buenos Aires Cathedral to celebrate
  • Date: 14th March 2013
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (MARCH 13, 2013) (REUTERS) LANDMARK OBELISK CARS HORNS HONKING TO CELEBRATE ARGENTINE POPE VARIOUS OF MAN SELLING ARGENTINE AND VATICAN FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 29th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVACYEC20PAGMFC0GFVFFSMJGQQH
  • Story Text: Emotions were flying high in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (March 13) as Argentine Catholics took to the streets to celebrate the newly elected Argentine pope, Jorge Bergoglio.
    Car horns were honked while throngs of devotees lined the streets of central Buenos Aires to take part in the festivities.
    Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said she hoped the new pope, who will be known as Pope Francis, will be able to reunite humanity in the struggle for justice and equity.

    "We wish from the bottom of our hearts that Francisco I will be able to achieve a greater level of understanding between people, between religions. That choosing the name Francisco, which I believe is in reference to St. Francis of Assisi, the saint of the poor, will be the option chosen by the highest Church leaders so that we can finally reunite all humanity, all humans as equal, with fellowship, with love, with justice and equity. The truth is, that is what we want, what we always want because this is a government that has always opted for those who have less and this is why many have not forgiven us," said Fernandez.
    The head of state also emphasized the importance of dialogue in bringing about world peace.

    "We wish him all the luck in the world in this pastoral mission. Also, what it means for Latin America and Argentina, and we hope that this really becomes something very significant for our region, that will carry our message to the world powers so that there will be dialogue, because we also want the dialogue that is touted from all sides to become effective so that those who are powerful in the world can be convinced. Those who are armed, those who have financial power, let them finally take a look at their own societies, to the emerging nations, and to promote a civilized dialogue where no question is resolved by force but through diplomatic channels. We have full confidence in this mission and we ask God to help him (Pope Francis) make it possible so that the just causes will one day triumph on this planet Earth," added Fernandez.
    Argentine Catholic Luisa Aguero said she was pleased that an Argentine would be leading the Church.

    "It is really great for us because it gives us a bit of happiness and peace, that's the most important thing," said Aguero.
    The Buenos Aires Cathedral, located in the centre of the bustling South American capital, was jammed with euphoric devotees who came out to take part in the celebrations.
    Monsignor Eduardo Garcia, said he was surprised by the fact that Bergoglio had taken the name of Saint Francis de Assisi.
    "It has taken me aback, the name they have chosen. I know of other saints, of which he is very devoted, Saint Joseph for example, and that he is very devoted to Saint Ignatius, who was the founder of the Society of Jesus of which he [Bergoglio] also belongs. Saint Francis has taken me aback but I imagine what it has been like for him to discover where he wants us to go as a church. With simple gestures he has shown us what he believes," said Garcia.
    Not only did Bergoglio make history for being the first-ever Latin American pope, but he is also the first Jesuit to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
    Latin America is home to approximately 40 per cent of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
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