On March 13, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Bergoglio's election came after the resignation of the previous pope, Benedict XVI earlier in February. The pope is the Bishop of Rome and is the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
After he was elected, Bergolio chose to be called by the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Francis Xavier. Francis of Assisi was an Italian saint who worked with the poor. Xavier was an original member of the Jesuits, the religious order to which Pope Francis belongs.
Pope Francis' election is significant because he is the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years. He is also the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope.
Pope Francis was born in Argentina in 1936 to parents who came from Northern Italy. In his youth, he suffered from a serious episode of pneumonia, a lung condition that makes it difficult to breath.
Later, he studied chemistry intensely for four years at the University of Buenos Aires.
When he was 32, Pope Francis was ordained a priest.
As the bishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis was known as an advocate for social justice and human rights. He actively spoke about the large gaps between rich and poor in Argentinean society. Pope Francis was also known for upholding the Church's position on controversial issues including, homosexuality, contraception, abortion, and female ordination.
Pope Francis has a strong relationship with other faith communities. In a recent press conference, he offered a blessing to all members of the press that were present regardless of their religious beliefs.
The new pope's inauguration is significant for Taiwan because President Ma was invited to attend the services in Rome. It is the first time in history that an ROC Head of State met with the pope. As Msgr. Paul Russell, the Papal Representative to Taiwan, said, “This event is full of significance and is a concrete sign of our official friendship.”
Russell continued by saying that this trip is a personal journey for President Ma as well, “It is something that has been in his heart for a long time. I am sure that this trip will bring divine blessings to President Ma and his wife, and also to all the people of Taiwan.”