While addressing the Argentinian Senate on Wednesday, Senator Liliana Negre de Alonso received the news Cardinal Bergoglio had been elected Pope.  “Bergolio was chosen?” she interrupted her speech. She turned to the other senators to confirm what she had just learned.  Requesting permission to interrupt from the President of the Senate, Negre de Alonso became visibly emotional.  “Forgive me I cannot continue speaking, I am too excited.”  After being granted an interruption from the President, she continued: “I am supremely... Read more

This morning the Pope held an audience with the 6,000 reporters from 81 different countries who have been in Rome throughout the conclave.  During the audience he explained how he came about choosing the name Francis. Some people wanted to know why the Bishop of Rome wished to be called Francis. Some thought of Francis Xavier, Francis De Sales, and also Francis of Assisi. I will tell you the story. During the election, I was seated next to the Archbishop... Read more

Which of these is the proper way to describe people from Central and South America?  Having been born in Peru, I am much more comfortable with Latin American (or even better, South American). Depending on how the word “Hispanic” is interpreted, it is either improperly used or artificial.  Let me explain. The ancient Latin name for Spain is Hispania.  Technically and historically speaking something Hispanic or someone Hispanic comes from Hispania, meaning from Spain and not from Central or South... Read more

Líderes latinoamericanos han enviado sus felicitaciones al Papa Francisco desde el día de su elección como sucesor de San Pedro.  Algunos se expresan con gran respeto y afecto, otros brevemente de una manera formal, y para reírse a carcajadas, están las declaraciones del presidente encargado de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. Primero las palabras respetuosas de la Presidenta Cristina Fernández de Argentina con quien el Papa como Arzobispo de Buenos Aires ha tenido fuertes desacuerdos: “En mi nombre, en el del gobierno... Read more

En una Misa llevada a cabo en la Capilla Sixtina con todos los cardenales que lo eligieron, el Papa Francisco habló directamente a los cardenales marcando una actitud específica a seguir en su labor pastoral. “Cuando caminamos sin la Cruz, cuando edificamos sin la Cruz y cuando confesamos un Cristo sin Cruz, no somos Discípulos del Señor: somos mundanos, somos obispos, sacerdotes, cardenales, papas, pero no discípulos del Señor.”  Llamando con sus palabras a los cardenales a poner a Cristo... Read more

Before the text, my comments: The Pope hardly consults the text of his homily.  He speaks freely and from the heart. I have marked the most striking parts of the brief homily.  He is calling all to return to Christ wholeheartedly. In these three readings I see that there is something in common: it is movement. In the first reading, movement is the journey [itself]; in the second reading, movement is in the up-building of the Church. In the third,... Read more

Brothers and sisters, good evening. You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are. I thank you for this welcome by the diocesan community of Rome to its bishop. Thank you. First of all, I would like to say a prayer for our bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for... Read more

Después de quinientos años desde la primera evangelización de Sud América y una gran parte de ella hecha por miembros de la Sociedad de Jesús (los Jesuitas), los cardenales de la Iglesia han escogido al primer papa latinoamericano quien también es sacerdote Jesuita.  Hoy es ciertamente un día histórico. ¡Qué alegría aprender que el Arzobispo de Buenos Aires había sido escogido como el 266º sucesor de San Pedro!  Que emoción saber que era latinoamericano como yo, y descendiente de inmigrantes... Read more

Five hundred years after the initial evangelization of South America (and a considerable portion of it done by members of the Society of Jesus), today the College of Cardinals has chosen the first Latin American Pope who also happens to be a member of the Society of Jesus.  This is a historic day. I could not contain my joy when I realized the Archbishop of Buenos Aires had been elected as the 266th successor of Saint Peter.  He is Latin American like... Read more

The Sistine Chapel has ceased to be a tourist destination, at least for a few days. Below Michelangelo’s magnificent 16th century frescoes, 115 cardinals, guided by the Holy Spirit, will select the next successor of Saint Peter. Starting this upcoming Tuesday, the world will have its eyes fixed on the chimney that rises from the Sistine Chapel (pictured above) anxiously waiting for the white smoke signaling the final vote for the next Pope. Much of the attention given to the conclave lies... Read more