The election of Pope Francis has brought much joy to many people all around the world. Now that the new Holy Father is Latino, Latinos throughout the diocese commented on the joy that this momentous occasion brought to them. Carlos Salaber, an immigrant from Argentina,formerly of St. Pius X Church in Rock Island, now retired in Naples, Florida said he was truly surprised and happy when Pope Francis was elected saying it was impossible but that anything is possible with the Lord. In Argentina, Salaber said the nickname for Francisco is “Paco” so the pope can be nicknamed “Papa Paco”. Salaber was honest in saying that he knew nothing about the pope until his election but he was impressed that Pope Francis, as a Cardinal of Buenos Aires, used to take public transportation to go to work as opposed to a chauffeured car. “First time, I ever heard of a Cardinal doing that. I also heard he lived in a humble private residence and he avoided any of the frills and perks that came with his position,” Salaber said.
Argentina has had some problems to deal with and Salaber hopes that the election of the new pope will help in those problems. “Argentina has been plagued for many years by financial crisis and corruption that take a toll on everyone there, especially the needy. I hope this will bring some joy to everyone and who knows maybe the beginning of a more open government,” he said.
Father Rudy Juarez, pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Iowa City and Vicar for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Davenport said, “What a blessing Francis is to the Church! I think the Holy Spirit spoke loud and clear to the Cardinal Electors in choosing a humble, unassuming and holy man. We need more humble, unassuming and holy men and women in the Church and in the world. ¡Viva (Long live) Papa Paco!”
Sister Irene Muñoz, Multicultural Minister at St. Mary’s Ottumwa, Iowa, said she was very thankful to the Lord and was very pleased and happy. She especially liked the name, the new pontiff chose since St. Francis of Assisi was so respectful of his fellow man and had respect for the poor. “How wonderful that God is watching over the whole world. We’re overwhelmed, praising God. God heard our cries. There’s so many things that he’ll bring to the world. He’s a man of prayer. An example of this was when he said please pray for me and there was silence, and then gave his blessing. That he prayed in silence showed he was a contemplative. I think he will do well for the church and I think its a sign for the Church,” Sister Muñoz said.
Petra Morales of St. Patrick’s Church in Iowa City said she personally was very excited but it didn’t matter where the pope was from. “I was reading a book on St. Francis of Assisi and I was overjoyed when I heard the name. It’s beautiful, exciting and unexplainable thing to watch the whole thing happen. It’s a big blessing for our people, Christ says we can all be saints and look at what Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now, pope. By the fruit of His labor, we can walk in the steps of Jesus. See what God does for us, God knows.” Morales said.
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