Gwent clergy welcome news of Pope Francis (From South Wales Argus)

Gwent clergy welcome news of Pope Francis

3:10pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News

CHURCHES across Gwent welcomed the arrival of the new Pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Pope Francis I.

Father Michael McCarthy of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Newport said: “I am surprised he was chosen so quickly, although I am pleased.

“The people will also be pleased, but we will have to see how he experiences things.

“Coming from South America he may need a little time to adjust to things.”

Lister Tong the dean at St Woolos Cathedral, Stow Hill, Newport, agreed with Fr McCarthy. He said: “My first impression is that he is just the man that everybody has been waiting for.

“He has a phenomenal reputation for looking after the poor, and he will have huge intellect for the rest of the world.

“I am very pleased.”

On hearing the news, the Most Rev George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, issued the following statement: “I welcome the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis I.

“He can be assured of the prayers of the whole Archdiocese of Cardiff.

“The election of a new Pope is always a new beginning and I look to the future with hope and confidence.

“Seeing the crowds in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday evening, who could fail to be struck by the global nature of the Church and its universal mission?”

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said, “We welcome and assure Pope Francis of our prayers and our best wishes for his future ministry. We hope he will bring an ecumenical perspective to the role, a desire to work with Christians of all traditions and a goodwill to people of all faiths.”