The Catholic world is waking up this morning to a new leader.
76-year-old Cardinal of Buenos Aires in Argentina Jorge Bergoglio was last night elected by the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel – and has taken the name Pope Francis.
So far his appointment has received welcome across Ireland – and here in Clare where up 400 mass-goers attended the Ennis parish mission this morning –
The newly-elected Pope Francis is expected to take part in his first Mass as pontiff in the Vatican later this afternoon.
While the papal inaugural mass will take place next Tuesday, March 19th and will be attended by Heads of State from around the world – including the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins.
Pope Francis is the first Jesuit Pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, the first from The Americas and the first Non European in over a thousand years.
Attention will now turn to how Francis will manage the Church.
He’s considered to be a conservative on issues like same sex marriage, abortion and contraception – but has been a voice for social justice and charity in Argentina.
Irish Times Religious Affairs Correspondent Patsy McGarry says the new Pope’s reform of Church hierarchy could have a big impact on the child sex abuse investigation.
