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Pope Francis: the reaction back home Pope Francis: the reaction back home
(34 minutes later)
Argentina showed a dramatically mixed reaction to the news that their compatriot Jorge Mario Bergoglio will be the first pope from Latin America, with supporters celebrating a breakthrough for a humble man of the church and others unhappy about persistent allegations that he collaborated with the military junta during the 70s and 80s.Argentina showed a dramatically mixed reaction to the news that their compatriot Jorge Mario Bergoglio will be the first pope from Latin America, with supporters celebrating a breakthrough for a humble man of the church and others unhappy about persistent allegations that he collaborated with the military junta during the 70s and 80s.
"It's incredible!" said Martha Ruiz, 60, who was weeping tears of emotion after learning that the cardinal will now be Pope Francis I, according to Associated Press."It's incredible!" said Martha Ruiz, 60, who was weeping tears of emotion after learning that the cardinal will now be Pope Francis I, according to Associated Press.
"He is a man who transmits great serenity.""He is a man who transmits great serenity."
But Eduardo de la Serna, coordinator of a left-wing group of priests who focus on the plight of the poor, told Radio del Plate that he was neither surprised nor pleased at the decision. "Bergoglio is a man of power and he knows how position himself among powerful people," he said. "I still have many doubts about his role regarding the Jesuits who went missing under the dictatorship."But Eduardo de la Serna, coordinator of a left-wing group of priests who focus on the plight of the poor, told Radio del Plate that he was neither surprised nor pleased at the decision. "Bergoglio is a man of power and he knows how position himself among powerful people," he said. "I still have many doubts about his role regarding the Jesuits who went missing under the dictatorship."
In the hour after the decision was announced, there were no crowds on the streets or outside the Metropolitan cathedral where Bergoglio – now Pope Francicso – was archbishop. In Buenos Aires, a large crowd gathered outside the city's cathedral waving Argentine flags and yellow banners representing the Vatican colors. "This is a great moment for the Argentine Catholic Church," said one young man in the crowd. "Bergoglio is a very humble man," referring to the new Pope's habit of riding on the subway in Buenos Aires even after annointed Cardinal.
This could have been because news had yet to filter out, or because the new pope is known for his austere style (famously riding on the subway while he was archbishop). It may also reflect the controversy that continues to cling to a figure who has played a prominent role in Argentina's recent fraught political history.
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner sent a congratulatory message and wished the new pope well in pursuing "justice, equality and fraternity." However, she is known to have had a frosty relationship with Bergoglio, clashing over same-sex marriage and other issues. Her husband – the former president Néstor Kirchner – described the archbishop as the "true opposition," according to an article published in Clarín, the country's leading newspaper. There are reports too that contact soured several years ago after Bergoglio refused to express forgiveness for the Catholic Church's actions during the dictatorship era.President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner sent a congratulatory message and wished the new pope well in pursuing "justice, equality and fraternity." However, she is known to have had a frosty relationship with Bergoglio, clashing over same-sex marriage and other issues. Her husband – the former president Néstor Kirchner – described the archbishop as the "true opposition," according to an article published in Clarín, the country's leading newspaper. There are reports too that contact soured several years ago after Bergoglio refused to express forgiveness for the Catholic Church's actions during the dictatorship era.
Catholics account for 70 – 89% of the 40.8million population, though few of them are likely to have expected Bergoglio to be elected as the head of the church. His opportunity was thought to have been lost in 2005, when he was widely reported as the closest contender to Benedict XVI.Catholics account for 70 – 89% of the 40.8million population, though few of them are likely to have expected Bergoglio to be elected as the head of the church. His opportunity was thought to have been lost in 2005, when he was widely reported as the closest contender to Benedict XVI.