Habemus Papam, Franciscum

It was the last period of the day, and my Latin III students were taking an exam, when my wife texted me, "Habemus papam."  I texted back, "Quis est?", and she replied, "Non scio."  I sat down at my computer and began surfing the news sites, but could find nothing.  Everything was still listing headlines that predicted a long conclave.  I texted her again, "Nihil in CNN aut Google Nuntio.  Quomodo audivisti?"  At that point she switched to English, and told me it had been on NBC.

After that, I kept refreshing New Advent and Dashiell Bennett's piece at The Atlantic Wire.  Slowly the news came in, and along with the rest of the world I learned that Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio had become Pope Francis.  I immediately sought out articles on his theology and was pleased to learn that he was orthodox, although that was no surprise if indeed God was guiding the conclave.

This evening I realized I needed to update the picture of the Pope on my blog, and I must confess, as I did in an earlier post, I was sad to do so.  I felt an affinity with Benedict XVI, and I shall miss him.  That said, I join Kevin Knight at New Advent and pray,

TRADITIONAL PRAYER (LATIN)

V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco
R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.

Pater Noster, Ave Maria  Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Francisco, quem pastorem Ecclesiæ tuæ præesse voluisti, propitius respice: da ei, quæsumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus præest, proficere: ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.

TRADITIONAL PRAYER (ENGLISH)

V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

Our Father, Hail Mary  O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.