"We have a new pope".
Some interesting firsts: first from the west/south/Americas, first from Argentina, first to hold office with an emeritus living pope, first Jesuit priest, first to take the name of St. Francis.
First conclave in the modern social media era, with more than one Twitter feed, and more than one smart phone app. Apparently, it's also the first pope to first ask for the people's prayers and blessings, before bestowing papal blessings.
Thoughts?
*I'm not Roman Catholic, but am fascinated by the politics and doctrine of a church that has over ONE BILLION members across the globe. As an American woman, I see the RC church as an outdated patriarch...that has spent too many years protecting bad men in their leadership, and promoting adulterers and pedophiles up the ranks of hierarchical power.
As a non-catholic, it's confusing to watch the church deny priesthood to women, fight against "altar girls", or forbid nuns or lay-women from all sorts of things.....while praying to the Virgin Mary.