
Only one Pope before resigned from the Papacy and he
was in fact “appointed” by the Cardinals because they couldn’t agree on a
successor and felt this holy hermit could be easily manipulated.
Turns out they were wrong and he was rapidly and
easily coerced into resigning. So they could elect a compromise candidate.

It does bring up the issue of what Pope Francis will
do and how well that will fit into the hopes of the Cardinals who elected him.
The general feeling is that he is truly dedicated to
the poor, expressing that from the beginning by his choice of name. His actions as an Archbishop in Argentina
would support that position, but we may get something more. His history of interface with the Presidents Kirchner,
ruling husband and widow, show courage and a resolve to walk the walk as well
as talk the talk. This is a man used to
accomplishing things.
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Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio |
His popularity with the Islam faction in Argentina
may also bode well for the near future of the Catholic Church. A lesser known fact about St. Francis of
Assisi is that he went safely through the enemy lines during the Crusades and
met with and (unsuccessfully) tried to convert the Sultan. Perhaps Pope Francis may have better luck. His simple lifestyle, the leaving the
trappings of the office, like ornate vestments and a bulletproof vehicle,
should appeal to the Muslim sense of simplicity in life.
![]() |
Statue of St. Francis |
I am pleased that he explained why he chose Francis
as his Papal name. A favorite joke
explains why this might have been a problem.
There have been several saints named Francis; one of the more famous is
St. Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit order, of which Cardinal Jorge
Bergoglio belonged. The story deals with
a man who made several bad choices:
He wanted to fly from Chicago to Boston and had to
decide what time to leave: 10:00 AM or noon?
Noon.
Then what airlines, since two had noon flights:
American or United? United.
The plane developed serious engine problems and
passengers were given a choice to bail out with one of a limited number of
parachutes, or remain on board and hope for landing survival: Bail out.

When he pulls the ripcord, nothing happens and he
cries out, “St. Francis, help me!”
A voice comes from the clouds, asking, “Would that
be St. Francis of Assisi or St. Francis Xavier?”
I’m glad Pope Francis cleared that up.
There has been much written recently about Apps and
who writes them. My next Post will make
some suggestions for Apps I would find useful.
Join me and comment with suggestions you might have.