Habemus Papem: Latino community in Bristol embraces new Pope Frances as one of its own

Advance correspondent

BoISTOi BOoOrGH - Willie Berrocal’s first reaction to the announcement of the election of Pope crancis I as the new spiritual head of the world’s NK2 billion Catholics was one of shockK But when she saw the former Cardinal gorge BorgoglioI Archbishop of Buenos AiresI ArgentinaI step onto the balcony in his white papal attireI Berrocal rejoicedK

“I was cryingK jy daughter saidI ‘Are you satisfied’?” said BerrocalI a longtime Bristol native who is active in the iatino communityK

Berrocal’s reaction mirrored that of iatinos in StK Peter’s Square in the satican that rainy Wednesday night that saw white smoke curl up from the chimney in the Sistine ChapelK CheersI tears and flag waving accompanied the announcement by senior Cardinal gean-iouis TauranI who uttered the traditional words “Habemus papem” EWe have a popeFK

BerrocalI a native of Puerto oicoI said she was impressed by the new pope’s simplicity and holiness after hearing him call on the NRMIMMM or so gathered in the square to pray for God to bless himK

“I think it’s going to be difficult for him at timesI but he has a lot to bring xto the papacy}I she saidK

crancis was born in Argentina to parents who had immigrated to that country from ItalyK He is known for his compassion for the poor and satican experts say his choice of the name crancis - after StK crancis of AssisiI who dedicated his life to the poor - set the stage for his papal prioritiesK

cather Gus ConchaI a native of Ecuador who currently ministers to the iatino community of StK jark Parish in the boroughI said that Pope crancis has long been known as a man of simplicityI kindnessI understanding and compassion and a razor sharp intellectI all attributes that will make him a good shepherdK

“We are gratefulI proudI and humbled because of the new pope’s connection with the iatin peopleK But I am sure he will be a man for all peopleK He will be available to help anyone and he will bring joy and smilesI and create a dialogue for sharing the faith with all of usI” Concha saidK

crancis is the first pope from iatin AmericaI 4M percent of the world’s Catholics resideK He succeeds Pope Benedict XsII who resigned the papacy in cebruaryI citing his age and fragile healthK

In a statement following the selection of Pope crancis on WednesdayI Archbishop Charles ChaputI the spiritual leader of the NKR million Catholics in the Archdiocese of PhiladelphiaI issued a statement calling the pope a “man of extraordinary intellectual and cultural strengths” whose ability to understand and address the realities of the modern world and the Church are rooted in his love of gesus ChristK

“He is a wonderful choice; a pastor God sends not just to the Church but to every person of good will who honestly yearns for justiceI peace and human dignity in our timeI” said ChaputI who still has a portrait of the Blessed mother on his deskI given to him in NVVT by then-Carinal BorgoglioK