Habemus Papam -- May 10, 2025

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On its second day, the Conclave selected a Cardinal born in the US, who was of partly African-American descent. MAGA heads exploded. People have said all my life that an American would never become pope. Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost was born in Chicago. He was Archbishop of x in Peru and had been working in the Vatican for two years. He was a joint citizen of Peru and the US. I was happy to learn that he had chosen the name Leo. I like Leo XIII. My first question on learning he was from Chicago was to ask: Cubs or White Sox. It turns out to be White Sox.

Sede Vacante -- April 26, 2025

Time, December 11, 2013

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. He had recently spent more than 80 days in the hospital and had surprised people by appearing at Easter services. He was the first Jesuit pope and the first to come from Latin America. He was truly the People's Pope, and he introduced some flexibility to the rules. We are going to miss him.

Saint Junipero Serra -- September 23, 2015

Saint Junipero Serra was born on the island of Mallorca on 24-November-1713.  People accuse him of genocide, of murdering California native Americans.  I am pretty sure that he was not aware of germ theory, which was developed long after he died.  He thought he was doing the right thing. 

Today Pope Francis visited Washington DC.  During a mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, he canonized Junipero Serra.  This was the first canonization performed in the United States. 

Protectors of One Another and of the Environment -- March 19, 2013

Pope Francis was installed today.  He spoke of we have a duty to "the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison."  He spoke about Saint Joseph as well.  We watched a repeat on EWTN.

I took this photo of the National Shrine of Saint Francis, formerly Saint Francis Church, on 20-August-2011. Saint Francis Church was San Francisco's first parish.

Ironically, it is also the tenth anniversary of the Iraq War.  

Habemus Papam -- March 13, 2013

The conclave that formed to select a new Pope after Benedict XVI resigned the Papacy has chosen Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires. He has taken the name Francis I. There is some discussion about whether he is referring to Francis of Assisi, Francis Xavier, or another Francis. Pope Francis has many unique aspects, he is the first Pope from the Western Hemisphere, the first Jesuit, the first Francis. His parents were Italian immigrants. I hope my cousins in Argentina are pleased.  He is known for living simply. 

I'm happy he chose Francis, especially if he was thinking about Francis of Assisi. I was sort of hoping for Sixtus VI, but I didn't think it was likely.

 I took this photo of the National Shrine of Saint Francis, formerly Saint Francis Church, on 20-August-2011. Saint Francis Church was San Francisco's first parish.