New Latin American Pope and an Overwhelming Argentinian Reaction

The new Pope, Francis I, has been chosen as the first Latin American Pope in history. It is said that the decision highlights the importance that the Latin American region has in the present and might develop in the future. In President Obama’s own words:

“As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day”.

For some, a Latin American Pope seems just right: almost one out of every two Catholics has Latin American origins. Brazil is even the country with the highest number of Catholics in the entire world. Even though the head of the Catholic Church is not chosen by direct representation, many feel that a Pope with a different origin will help achieve a more multi-ethnic and polyvocal outlook within the Church.

The Argentinian Reaction to the News

In Argentina, the decision froze the life of the forty million citizens of the country, of which 78% call themselves Catholics. The Catholic Church in Argentina is an important and influential institution, but very few expected the news they received today: The new Pope, the former Bishop of the Province of Buenos Aires, is an Argentinian. The excitement caused people to celebrate in the streets of many cities throughout the country, while surprised reporters and broadcasters, some of them really moved by the news, did their best to inform the citizens about what was happening in Rome.
Apart from the excitement and happiness that many openly showed, some Argentinians are actually concerned that Jorge Bergoglio’s open opposition towards same-sex marriage, which has been legal in Argentina since 2010, and his conservative views will negatively affect the citizens’ lives and the country’s reputation. Others, instead, state that having an Argentinian Pope will be an excellent way to get the rest of the world to learn more about the country, its people and its customs.