The National Post, rather than running a headline announcing who the new Pope is, instead proclaimed that a Canadian was not chosen; but he might have been.
Marc Ouellet not selected as Pope, but was a serious contender for the role
In a massive break with tradition, the conclave of cardinals has chosen a someone from outside Europe Catholic church, but it was not the former bishop of Quebec Marc Ouellet, but instead electing Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio now known as Pope Francis I.
That didn’t mean that Ouellet wasn’t in the running.
He is of Italian heritage. And he doesn’t become Francis I till there is a Francis II, so he`s just regular `ol Pope Francis for now.
Let the non-Catholics start whining in 5-4-3-, too late they started before the conclave!
A new Pope for the world! The true followers of Jesus can pray and work together to face all the challenges in the 21st century.
Although the news media are incredibly inept when it comes to unbiased or complete reporting on anything, especially anything religious, my first impressions of the new Pope is that he as a “back to basics” kind of guy. So anyone thinking/hoping for woman ordination, gay marriages, or any other significant changes to the Doctine of the Roman Catholic Church is likely to be dissapointed.
My own thoughts are that this is most likely what the Roman Catholic Church needs, that being a return to the fundamentals of Christianity. Oh there may be changes to their liturgy, and they may open more Parishes that use something other than the Latin Right. But the basics will be restrengthened. The Gospel is what is going to be preached, and without any apology to anyone who does not like it. I think we can expect to see the Roman Catholict Church embark on a new effort to convert/evangalize people.