Pope Francis First Speech

The year 2013 witnessed many historical moments, from President Barak Obama negotiating reconciliation between Israel and Turkey to the Amanda Knox trial that entered the hearts of millions of families across the United States (“2013 - the year in review: Timeline of major news stories | Home News | News | The Independent,” n.d.). That year also saw the election of the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pope from the Americas. When the new Pope stepped out onto the balcony on March 13, 2013, no one could have envisioned how this man in basic white vestments, a traditional liturgical garment, would catch the world’s attention. Before he pronounced the traditional blessing on those gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City, Rome, he bowed his head and asked the people to pray for him (“Official Text of Pope Francis’ First Speech to World,” 2013). …show more content…
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, …show more content…
It was on the second day of the assembly that Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Right from the beginning, Cardinal Bergoglio has defied the norms and formalities of the position. On March 16th, he stood in front of thousand of journalists and told them that he took the words spoken to him by Cardinal Hummes to hearts - ‘Don’t forget the poor’ - and thusly, chose to be named after St. Francis of Assisi, “the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation,” (“Pope Francis - Pope”). He had chosen the name because of his concern of the well being of the poor. It is the first time that a pope has been named