Can you imagine the struggle over who can get the news first.

Wow. A South American Jesuit naming himself Francis? The conservatives likely are worried.

1st Jesuit ever.  76 years old.

A breath of fresh air for the RCC. Good for them! They’re sayinghe is humble, rode the bus in Buenos Aires, and eschewed the trappings of power.

While I am reformed and a bit indifferent is am fascinated by the choice of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio; is a an acknowledgment of Catholicism in Latin America?

There are Jesuits and then there are Jesuits.  What I have read so far should be encouraging to the conservatives, unless to those who want to “conserve” the present Curial power structure.  Time will tell.

Not necessarily an acknowledgement of Catholicism (I don’t think this is necessary), but I would say it’s a reaffirmation that Catholicism…...although not quite as dominant as it once was…...is still quite a significant presence.  Although there might be some concern about Francis’ age…..76…...and his having only one lung, he evidently is in good health.  I like his being what I would call a “Pope of the people,” with his habit of riding buses in his daily life.  That of of course will necessarily change.  He seems like a very good man, and I am happy for our Catholic brothers and sisters.

I would of course have preferred a progressive, reforming Pope… but that was obviously never in the cards.  (Nor in the Cardinals.)

Speaking as a liberal, I think I’m as happy with this choice as I could be with any of the candidates.  I certainly consider his choice of the name “Francis” a good omen.

By Latin American standards he is considered moderately conservative. That is to say he is not a Marxist and does not support gay marriage or female ordination. Doctrinally he appears to be at least somewhat orthodox. But on political, economic and what we Americans might term social justice issues he is well to the left of Nancy Pelosi.

He is widely regarded as hostile to traditional liturgy and is decidedly “low church.” In short I would not hold my breath waiting for the return of the papal coronation or the sedei gestatoria and I would give thanks to God if we do not see the introduction of liturgical dance in St. Peter’s Basilica.

That said he does seem to have many virtues including a true and very profound humility.

Hmmm, #9, sounds like a Sydney Anglican.

#9 ... since you brought up dancing ...
2 Samuel 6:14   Psalm 149:3   Psalm 150:4   Psalm 150:1-6

No doubt the traddies will be unhappy as well as everyone else with a penchant for fussy, frilly liturgics.  But, the greater threat is that this man will have broad appeal which a stilted traditionalism does not.

The traddies are in full swoon mode and have been since Pope Francis showed up without the red ermine cape and asked the people to ask the Lord to bless him. The craziest thing I’ve read is that his humble way of life was the devil preparing a way for him to deceive the world and lead the Church astray. But face it, that’s out there beyond radtrad, much less trad..

Fr J appears to be correct. Pope Francis is demonstrating not merely a low church bent, but a positive hostility to anything smacking of traditional liturgy or ceremonial such as was promoted by his predecessor.

Minutes after the election result was declared in the Sistine Chapel, a Vatican official called the Master of Ceremonies offered to the new Pope the traditional papal red cape trimmed with ermine that his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI gladly wore on ceremonial occasions.

“No thank you, Monsignore,” Pope Francis is reported to have replied. “You put it on instead. Carnival time is over!”

Source

Nor is Fr. J. the only one who is enthusiastic about the changes…

“So long Papal ermine and fancy lace! Welcome simple cassock, and hopefully ordinary black shoes. St. Francis must be overjoyed!”

“At our meeting today with Pope Francis, I noted he is still wearing his old black shoes. I pray he keeps them as a sign for us all.”

“Mass with Pope Francis moving from High Church to Low and Humble Church! What a blessing that we are encountering Jesus without trappings!”

-A series of tweets from Archbishop Roger Cardinal Mahoney

A comment on another blog noted that Cardinal   Mahony was not known for simple, humble Masses during his time in Los Angeles.  And his cathedral is known, not without justification, as the Taj Mahony.

He has used this entire interregnum as an opportunity to rehabilitate himself after Archbishop Gomez’ public rebuke. A decent man would have retired quietly rather than make a public spectacle of himself, forgiving the victims of his crime (read his blog if you have not) and all.  But them a decent man would not have conducted himself as a mafia don to start with.

Well, the rad. trads could join the Ordinariate and promote radical foo-foo. Converts typically love every last bit of the trappings.

So glad he nixed the ermine thingy. Pope Ratzinger looked like a cross between Santa and a king in it. It would be a shame if he went low church with liturgy, though. Guitar and bongo masses leave much to be desired.