Last updated at 15:12, Tuesday, 19 March 2013

THE newly elected Pope, who has his inauguration mass today, has been welcomed by the Furness Catholic community.

POPE FRANCIS I

Pope Francis I, who will be installed officially at St Peter’s Square, has received goodwill messages and prayers from Furness.

The first Latin American Pope, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, chose the name Francis, which was a nice surprise for Father Francis Olaseni, of St Pius X Catholic Church, in Barrow.

Father Olaseni, of Nigeria, who starting serving at St Pius in January, and was previously of Barrow’s St Mary of Furness Church, said: “It’s great to have the name Francis for the first time in the history of the Papacy. I was surprised, there are a lot of other names. I have no doubt they (the cardinals) made a good choice. They voted according to their consciences. I think Pope Francis I will be a very good Pope.

“He is very concerned about the poor. He came from a wealthy family and he gave up his wealth.’’

Canon John Watson, the priest of St Mary of Furness, said: “The cardinals prayed for guidance, they have been imaginative and decisive.

“Pope Francis I is very unassuming, he has been a wonderful pastor of his flock in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“It’s good to have a Pope at the coalface of things.

“I’m hopeful he will be a great leader.”

Mary Page, headteacher of St Bernard’s Catholic High School, in Barrow, said: “We are all delighted about the election of Pope Francis and we hope that he, with God’s grace, will rule over the Church for many years to come. As he requested in his address to the faithful, he will be in our prayers as he starts his role as successor to St Peter.”

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Revd James Newcome, has offered his support to Pope Francis. Bishop James said: “I haven’t met the new Pope, but am hugely encouraged to hear that he is a man of outstanding humility and intelligence. He lives simply and is passionate about sharing the gospel, which has to be the main task facing all Christians today.’’

First published at 15:07, Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk