Pope Francis: Daily Roundup

News

• Pope Francis : "Miserando atque eligendo", by Veronica Scarisbrick (Vatican Radio):

  (Vatican Radio ) Pope Francis has chosen the motto "Miserando atque eligendo", meaning lowly but chosen; literally in Latin 'by having mercy, by choosing him'.

  The motto is one the Pope had already chosen as Bishop. It is taken from the homilies of the Venerable Bede on Saint Matthew's Gospel relating to his vocation:"Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an Apostle saying to him : Follow me."

  This homily, which focuses on divine mercy and is reproduced in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Saint Matthew, has taken on special significance in the Pope's life and spiritual journey.

  In fact it was on the Feast of Saint Matthew in 1953 that a young seventeen year-old Jorge Bergoglio was touched by the mercy of God and felt the call to religious life in the footsteps of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

• Francis' first "tweet": "Thank you and pray for me." Vatican Information Service 03/18/13.
• Pope Francis uses recycled ring from era of Paul VI, by Joshua J. McElwee. National Catholic Reporter 03/18/13.
• After Frosty Past, Pope Meets Argentine Leader, by Rachel Donadio and Alan Cowell. New York Times 03/18/13.
• Pope stresses simplicity, ecumenism in inaugural Mass plans, by Joshua J. McElwee. National Catholic Reporter 03/18/13.

Commentary

• A Franciscan Name for a Jesuit Pope?, by James Martin, SJ. There has long been a playful rivalry among religious orders in the Catholic Church. America "In All Things". 03/18/13.
• Pope Francis and Secularist Stereotypes, by Michael Coren. Catholic World Report 03/18/13. Don't be surprised that the honeymoon lasted just a few hours.
• The Pope and the Poor, by James V. Schall, SJ. Catholic World Report 03/18/13. A Jesuit reflects on the new pontificate and the problem of poverty.
• John Sobrino, SJ on Pope Francis. Father Jon Sobrino, the Spanish-born Jesuit who has lived worked, and taught in El Salvador since the late 1960s, was recently interviewed about Pope Francis. Below is a quick translation of that interview. 03/17/13.
• Amy Welborn: "a short reflection on the explosion of reactions to Pope Francis" Charlotte Was Both 03/18/13:

  I’m startled by the number of people who are under the impression that Pope Benedict neglected to mention Jesus Christ, mercy or the poor during his pontificate. Who don’t understand the substantial reforms Pope Benedict undertook over the past few years. So for example: Pope Francis mentioned the danger of the Church becoming seen as just another NGO, to wide acclaim – from some of the same quarters who have looked askance at Pope Benedict making exactly the same points – and putting them into action ...

  For me, it comes down to this. Both of these Popes were and are pastors. Both have given their lives for us, for Christ. We can – and should be open to being – taught by both. All I’m saying is that – as Pope Francis himself has acknowledged in his own words these past few days – Pope Benedict was all about Christ. He spent 8 years as your Pope, “proposing Jesus Christ” through his words and actions – even his red shoes. If Pope Francis’ actions so far preach Christ more clearly to you then so be it. Christ is who is important, and we are a Church of great diversity for a reason. But what has been so bizarre and even saddening over the past few days is a tone and implication that Benedict was somehow about something else besides Jesus Christ.