Election of Pope Francis
Regis University, Colorado’s only Jesuit Catholic university, joins the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, friends of the Church and everyone of all faiths and beliefs in celebrating the historic election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. as Pope Francis.
The announcement is even more remarkable given that Pope Francis becomes the first Jesuit to be elected as the spiritual leader of the global Catholic community. As the first Pope from the Americas, Pope Francis' election also signals increased optimism about the future of the Catholic Church. In South America it certainly indicates a new day, that the Roman Catholic Church sees itself as a world Church not Eurocentric.
Finally, a Jesuit pope is significant for Regis University and Jesuit higher education, as there are numerous Jesuit universities and high schools around the world. The Society of Jesus is known for its “Can Do” attitude, Jesuits are highly educated and trained (commensurate with his peers in the Society, Pope Francis holds a doctorate), and Pope Francis knows that the Society of Jesus has made a preferential option for the poor.
In Pope Francis’ opening moments of being before the world, he was silent first…listening. Then he asked that before he prayed for the people of God and the world, that they pray for him. We will continue to pray that God will grant Pope Francis the wisdom and grace to lead the Church into the future.
Fr. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
President of Regis University