“for some reason the Cardinals thought that this mild-mannered man from Argentina would take the broom to the place.”

No, Pat, that’s not what they’ve done. They think this mild-mannered man from Argentina is going to give the place to THEM. I can’t believe that no one else is commenting on this. What do you think the emphasis on “Bishop of Rome” on the loggia was all about? They’ve elected him to enhance collegiality, and he’ll do that through a de-emphasis and de-construction of the universal nature of the papacy. This is what the Re’s and Kasper’s of the College have been drooling about for thirty years. Why do you think the whole League of Villains - Re, Hummes, and Sandri were up there next to Francis grinning and literally rubbing their hands together?

Christ preserve us.

I prefer “Papa Frank” to PF1.

It’s actually Pope Francis NOT Pope Francis I (NOR Pope Francis the First, NOR Pope Francis Irst. JUST Pope Francis) : that’s how Cardinal Tauran announced him and that’s how he’s called on the Vatican website (on the Vatican website, John-Paul I is called John-Paul I but Francis is called Francis). So he will NOT be nicknamed PF1. PF would be possible, but stupid.

Just remember from now on : everytime you say or write “Pope Francis I” instead of “Pope Francis”, his actual name, a puppy dies :-(

Save the puppies, call him “Pope Francis” ! Thank you.

Pope John Paul I is called that because there was a Pope John Paul II!  If there is ever another Pope named Francis, then our current Pope will be known as Pope Francis I.
Save the puppies!

Viva Papa Francesco!

Oh no!  Not puppies!

;)

Pope John Paul I is called that because there was a Pope John Paul II!  If there is ever another Pope named Francis, then our current Pope will be known as Pope Francis I.
Save the puppies!

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/pat-archbold/habemus-problems-pf1#ixzz2NcQ8E5nc

actually, no JPI took the First as part of his regnal name when elected.  Francis did not take the First

  I agree with you Pat, in that yes he is simple and humble and very pro-life and devoted to Mary. Also he spoke about Satan yesterday. But I have to agree with you on not one but 2 things. The first as you said is the way he chose to wear and not wear on the balcony (along with the shoes) although John Paul II did not wear red shoes. The second is that in the liturgical matters. No Latin No Gregorian chant facing the East. You can tell that Guido Marini is very annoyed at the way he is being forced to dress now unlike when Benedict was Pope. As for the dress EVEN John Paul I and II came out dressed the same. Then there is the name Francis. It just does not sound like a Papal name to me. And of course to top all this off he just happens to be a Jesuit from South America.Hope I am wrong.

This is how I feel about the new Pope- we could have had a worse man but we also could have had a better pick. Why did he have to talk so long on the balcony? Then of course what he chose to wear and not wear which others have mentioned in other places. His views on the Latin Mass and the Anglican groups are not promising and it looks like there will be no chance for the Society of St. Pius X. Then he takes not the name of a past Pope (John XXV or Paul VII) but FRANCIS, it just does not sound right to me. Finally the fact that he just happens to be a South American Jesuit bothers me. I could and hope I am wrong about him but my gut instinct is he is not just a moderate but a radical or maverick. I will pray for him.

I clearly remember that Cardinal Albino Luciani, on the night he was elected pope, was publicly known as John Paul THE FIRST. The number was NOT given to him in hindsight after the election of JPII. Therefore, our current pope is properly referred to as “Francis I.”

If he were from China, we could call him PF Chang, maybe???

Larry, you are right that Pope John Paul I insisted on adding “the First” to his name. He is the only pope to add “the First” to his name. And he died 33 days later.

Let’s just use “Pope Francis.”

I’ve got my thoughts on why I think God elevated this man. God just short-circuited the dissenting wing of the Church which has hi-jacked the social justice mantra.  They cannot say he is out of touch with reality. Here is my post: http://te-deum.blogspot.com/2013/03/god-just-short-circuited-dissenting.html?spref=fb

This is sad, weather it was Pope Francis or another… people like you would find a way to tear them apart. He just started and already all these negative judgements are being passed. May God help him “clean out” the church from people like you. Our church needs unity not division. I don’t care if these are your personal opinions ..if you feel strongly about them… get on your knees and pray! May God forgive you. This shouldn’t be named National Catholic Register. This should be called non-catholic opiniated author. Prayers for our new Pope! May he be bless by God to be a good Shepherd of its flock. Amen Allelujah! !!

Larry, John-Paul I indeed CHOSE to be called John-Paul I and Francis CHOSE to be called Francis NOT Francis I. Look at the Vatican website ! You are only proving me right. And killing puppies.

Larry, you’re correct that Albino Cardinal Luciani was referred to as John Paul I on the night he was elected pope, but he was referred to that way because he included “the First” in his papal name. Francis did not, and so he is not properly referred to as Francis I until there is a Francis II.

For more on this, see http://catholicism.about.com/b/2013/03/13/pope-francis-not-pope-francis-i.htm

Until such time as the Holy See releases an official decree saying that “Francis The First” is incorrect and should not be used, I will continue to refer to him either as “Francis” or “Francis I.” Anybody else can do as they please—it’s not my concern.

Life plays out one day at a time, for a pope, and for us all. It remains to be seen what this pope will or will not do. He has only done a very little so far.

Prayer is ours to do.

Repentance for those in error, and boasting only in Christ for those who do good.

We need not worry. Christ is with us and the Holy Spirit is guiding us. Stay in the boat and don’t even think of jumping ship.

Veronica
You are saying that I am ‘tearing apart’ Pope Francis?  That is as silly as it is untrue.

As Catholics, I think that we can sometimes take ourselves too seriously and therefore when someone writes something that is meant to be a joke, we overreact. We need to be able to laugh and smile about things otherwise it will all drive us crazy.

@Veronica, Pat did not mean any disrespect and I agree with him that some “house cleaning” needs to be done. When we have bishops, religious, and priests teaching things contrary to what the Catholic Church teaches, we need to do something about that. We cannot have “catholyc” leaders leading souls to the gates of hell can we?

Pat, I didn’t think you were tearing him apart.  You just shared genuine concerns. My concern is about the Mass. I’m anxious to see if people knee for Holy Communion like they did for Benedict. We all should pray for him.

Larry, the Holy See DID release an official statement:

<blockquote class=“yes”>The director of the Holy See Press Office commented on the Pope’s first public appearance yesterday evening, greeting the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square. He noted a few significant gestures that characterized the simplicity and serenity of that encounter, beginning with the Pope’s request that the faith pray for him and his choice of vestments. “The new Pope wore neither the red “mozzetta” (the elbow-length cape worn by high-ranking prelates) nor a stole and his pectoral cross was the same simple one that he has worn as bishop and Cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The choice of his name Francis, after St. Francis of Assisi, strongly recalls the saint’s evangelical spirituality and radical poverty. His papal name is simply ‘Francis’, not ‘Francis I’, since he is the first pontiff to bear that name. If after him another pontiff chooses that name then he will be ‘Francis I’.”</blockquote>

I stand corrected. Thank you.

I would think I am reading an article from ABC news or CNN the way you are already bashing the new pope. Really, are you so much like the Pharisees that you are going to nit-pick about whether he wears the Prada shoes, or red or white cape?  This is down right ridiculous for any true Catholic to make a judgment call on whether he’s the right man for the job.  I am thankful I decided not to purchase NC Register because of the trashy articles like this they allow.  I love EWTN, but shame on whoever allows this garbage to be published.

Elizabeth

You said “Really, are you so much like the Pharisees that you are going to nit-pick about whether he wears the Prada shoes, or red or white cape?”

One problem, I mentioned absolutely none of these things (or any of the other things of which you accuse me. )

Note to Elizabeth: Your sense of humor is ready at the repair shop. Please pick it up as soon as possible.
“Be of good cheer!” (John 16:33)
www.merrycatholic.com

Francis vs. Francis I:  Why is this such a big deal?  I agree with trying to get it right, and I agree that “Francis” is correct, but so what if some people mistakenly get it wrong?

Hasselhof’s cheeseburger etiquette

I had to look this up. Now it is permanently burned in my brain and armed and ready for deployment. :)

Ok, perhaps I have missed the point here being that everyone seems that this was all a joke, and I didn’t get it.  But seeing the regular media always ready to pounce on the Catholic Church, and then to see a blog that makes fun of the new Pope’s name (PF1?), well, we get enough of it on regular news. Just sayin. Also you mention the only Jesuit loyal to the Pope-what would Fr. Pacwa of EWTN think of that? :)

We get it, Pat. You simply cannot come to grips with the fact that a Pope willingly stepped down. And you frankly seem incapable of ceasing your unending disparagement of the former Pontiff,  despite the fact that abdication is not forbidden,  nor do you have the first clue as to all of the factors and discernment that went into Pope Benedict’s decision. This appears to be getting to the point of insult and rash judgment (or has already gotten there).

A very good man, Pope Benedict, stepped down, which is allowable and which involved reasons that we have no way of knowing with total, if any, assurance. Deal with it.

What are you talking about?

Pat - I’m trying to find you on Twitter.  What is your handle there?

In which you drag out all silly assumptions about Jesuits and baseless assumptions of our Holy Father.  How classy.

Louise
I pray that one day you will be granted a sense of humor.

I suspect (and it’s only a suspicion or guess on my part) that Pope John Paul I added the numeral because he had taken names that belonged to previous popes. No pope has ever taken the name Francis before, hence Pope Francis does not need the numeral (until there is a Francis II).

Pat Archbold, please forgive me, but you should write for CNN instead of the NCR.  I respect your opinion but I also expect respect for OUR HOLY FATHER.  How dare you call Pope Francis PF1 and insinuate that with him we have problems.  I tell you what the problem really his… the problem with American pundits and many American people is that they really think the world revolves around the U.S.  And it’s about time you accept the fact that the ONE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH is UNIVERSAL precisely the way Jesus/God created it and that this secular country of 200 years will NEVER outlive the Catholic Church.  All of you are sore and disappointed because you really expected an American Pope.  That does not give you or anyone any justification to attack Pope Francis and attack the college of Cardinals for their selection of the successor of Peter.

All I’m sayin’ is this Pope does not care for tradition, mozettas, red shoes, formality, stuffiness, precedent, protocol, encrustations, ossifications or any of the smelly old bones of Catholicism.  Open the windows! Let that fresh air that has been blowing through since Vat II (am I allowed to abbreviate or is that disrespectful?) blow what’s left of our church away. I don’t like to be critical, but. What I’ve seen so far is someone who wants to do it THEIR WAY. I wish him all the best, I wish the church all the best, and I wish us, traditionalists, all the best. Wishes mean little. I have been praying. I know Francis prays. The church has been praying.
Beautiful liturgy is not on his list. It’s left behind with the red shoes.
Google MISA DE NINOS 2011 youtube and get a taste. They are singing at the Consecration. balloons, Jesus puppets, clapping and rocking and rolling.

Chris, check out the latest article from Verbatim.  It is titled “In Defense of Extravagance”.  There is nothing wrong with our beautiful churches, devotions, rituals, and vestments.  As it said, it is to represent the beauty of Christ to the visible eye, a sense of the presence of beauty.  Even in the Old Testament, God was specific in how the Ark of the Covenant, and temples had to be built of pure gold and bronze, etc.  But at the same time there is beauty of simpleness the represent humility.  Each pope, each church, has it’s special gifts in different forms.  Our current Pope, and the last two have all had special talents given by God to show the Church and the world, what we should be….Pope John Paul II-gentleness, loving, bring the youth back….Pope Benedict, to reform the liturgy to it’s correct form and throwing out the sugar coated liberal additions, and now Pope Francis…humility, and reaching out to everyone, and serving.  We are all apparently devout Catholics here, and put in the same room, would have better understanding.