The Vatican’s newest resident met with praise … and yawns

The world’s largest Christian Church got a new leader last week. National Post subscribers don’t need to be told that, of course, as this paper mentioned him in more than 30 articles, columns and letters in the last seven days. This extensive coverage pleased many readers.

“Pope Francis embodies the simplicity and humility that is characteristic of Saint Francis [of Assisi],” wrote Kevin Pettit. “He is detached from worldly goods — he has no chauffeur, cooks on his own and lives in a simple apartment. His simple words on the balcony of St. Peter’s suggest he is not only a holy man, but a man who will show that the Church can once again be a force for today and a force for tomorrow.”

“This man has so many attributes, I am convinced he will prove to be just the right pope for our time, as all the popes have been,” added Anne Smyth. “The pope is picked by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

Others said they have read enough about him. On Monday, five days after Father Jorge Bergoglio was elevated to the papacy, this sarcastic note arrived.

“Oh goodie. Thank you, National Post, for finally running a story about the Pope, and on the front page no less,” wrote Ian Hopkins. “I was worried that the Post might miss this story entirely and not devote enough space to it. Whew! (And I still love the Post despite the endless Pope-o-rama of reporting).”

“Please, please, Assez! Assez! We’ve had overkill on this new pope,” added Allan MacLeod. “Remember that most of Canada is Protestant, Jewish, atheist, etc. Please cease and desist.”

This reader suggested that people should not be so focused on religions and their leaders.

“All we have been hearing is how humble this new Pope is and how he is a voice for the poor,” wrote Randy Walsh. “Sound familiar? Well it should. We heard the same thing about Barack Obama four years ago, and look where that got us. Nothing is going to change until there is a new paradigm in thinking. We need to stop looking for that maternal/paternal leader. They don’t exist. We can lead ourselves.”

On a more serious note, many readers said their esteem for the Roman Catholic Church has dissipated, thanks to the ongoing child abuse scandal connected to that organization.

“Father Raymond J. de Souza’s statements that the Pope is the ‘only plausible contender’ for the role of the ‘world’s moral voice’ had my head reeling,” wrote Edward Godsalve. “Am I to take moral

He has so many attributes, I am convinced he will prove to be the right pope for our time — ANNE SMYTH.

direction from an organization that has systematically and repeatedly tried to either minimize or [ignore] their role in pedophilia and [the] abuse of children under their care?”

“In the face of ongoing reports of child molestation by Catholic clergy, there has not been much more than lip service coming from the Church,” added John Rogers. “Enough of apology, forgiveness and restitution. It is time for the Church to respond. Strong action by the Pope would demonstrate true authority and confirm the faith of the millions of us who care, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.”

News about the federal Liberal leadership race — and its star candidate — keeps popping up on our news pages, much to the annoyance of some readers.

“On behalf of bored readers from coast to coast, I would like to request a moratorium on coverage of the Liberal leadership race,” wrote Jonathan Skrimshire. “For better or worse, Justin Trudeau will be the next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. There is no point in endlessly belabouring the bloody obvious, or further dissecting the oddities of the contest. It’s over. Time to move on.”

Other readers say they are tired of seeing photos of Mr. Trudeau.

“Congratulations!,” Joyce Dej wrote on Tuesday. “There was no picture of Justin Trudeau in your paper today!” (Much to Ms. Dej’s chagrin, I’m sure, his image did grace our Thursday edition.)

Keeping with the subject of photos, an image in Monday’s paper upset this reader.

“It should not be necessary to remind a usually responsible newspaper that some images need not be shared,” wrote William Handler. “I was disappointed to see the picture that accompanied the troubling article on the reported gang rape in India, which showed the rape victim [her face was covered], a Swiss tourist, being hustled through an onlooking mob en route to a medical examination. There is such a thing as privacy.”

Staying with Monday’s edition, its front-page photo captured the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge struggling to free her heel from a street grate during a St. Patrick’s Day parade, while her husband held her arm and another army officer merely looked on. “What happened to royal chivalry?” asked Edmundas Petrauskas. “Were the swords and all the fancy trimmings preventing the stiff gentlemen from bending down, helping the lovely lady in distress to free her lovely high heel from the grate? She had to struggle by herself, with criss-crossed legs, while the stiffs stood there amused. Do I need to remind them of Sir Walter Raleigh’s courtesy [he laid his coat over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth I]?”

In closing, some kind words about our writers.

“Please tell Dave Bidini how much I like his intense style of reporting and commentary,” wrote John Keefe. “He is one of your columnists whom I always read. The Saturday edition also brings forth great expectations, which are always rewarded by your columnists’ logic and humanity.

“This country would be a desolate literary waste without the National Post,” he added. “Keep it coming.”