Community Corner

Father McHugh: New Pope Signals Hope for the Poor, Teachings of Jesus

As the word spreads quickly about the Catholic Church's announcement of a new pope, Pope Francis, what do you think about who was chosen? What do you want to see the next pope accomplish with the Catholic church?

With Wednesday afternoon's announcement that Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, 76, of Argentina, was chosen as the first pope from the Americas, Father John P. McHugh of Saint Patrick said that on a personal level, he is very hopeful about the future of the Catholic Church. 

Bergoglio, who will be known as Pope Francis, should be a servant who can get beyond politics and emphasize the teachings of Jesus, McHugh said.

“It’s a very hopeful sign,” McHugh said. “There’s something grounded about him. It feels good. It feels authentic.”

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McHugh said he believes Pope Francis will be an advocate for the poor and needy and pointed out that he comes from Latin America, an area with the greatest percentage of Catholics in the world.

“He will be very passionate about the suffering of the poor and the imbalance between the powerful and the weak — the rich and the poor,” he said.

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“And that gives people something positive to focus on. That hope is they’re not abandoned and God loves them,” McHugh added.

He succeeds Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis is the first Jesuit priest to lead the church. 

 


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