Community Corner

Cardinals Elect New Pope; Plainfield Church Plans Celebration

Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio will succeed Benedict; a Mass of thanksgiving is scheduled for Wednesday night at St. Mary Immaculate Parish.

As Catholics around the world received word that a new pope had been elected, St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield got ready to celebrate.

On Wednesday, white smoke was released from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, of Buenos Aires as the 226th pope.

The Rev. David Medow, pastor at St. Mary Immaculate, said the church will offer a Mass of thanksgiving at 7 p.m. Wednesday. St. Mary Immaculate is located at 15629 S. Route 59.

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Taking the name Pope Francis I, the new pontiff spoke from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering up a blessing for Pope Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation last month.

Medow said he was moved by what he called the new pope’s “humble and faithful gesture” as he addressed his flock, asking “all men and women of goodwill” to pray for him and help him lead the Catholic Church

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“In his first appearance as Pope Francis and in the words he spoke, he certainly won my heart immediately,” Medow said, adding that, “trusting the Holy Spirit, we can expect great things” from the new leader.

According to CNN, Pope Francis is the third straight non-Italian pope.


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