ARGENTINA'S BERGOGLIO ELECTED AS NEW POPE FRANCIS

CARDINAL JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO
OF ARGENTINA IS NAMED NEW POPE

www.nydailynews.com - Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, taking the name Francis I and becoming the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years. Pope Francis began his first morning as leader of the Catholic world by hopping in a simple Vatican car and heading to St. Mary Major church, a Roman basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He knelt before an icon of the Madonna, and left flowers at the altar where St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, celebrated his first Mass 600 years ago. 
After the visit, Francis stopped by a Vatican-owned residence in downtown Rome to pick up the luggage he left behind before moving into the Vatican hotel for the conclave. He asked to pay the bill. It was a remarkable show of simplicity and humility for a man who could easily have dispatched someone to do the job for him.

He had displayed that same sensibility immediately after his election, shunning the special sedan so he could ride the bus back to the hotel with other cardinals, and refusing even an elevated platform from which he would greet them, according to Timothy Cardinal Dolan. “He met with us on our own level,” Dolan said. After the meeting, he joked with the cardinals, asking God to forgive them for electing him. In another symbol of his style, Francis has decided to wear his pastoral cross, the same cross he wore as bishop, in keeping with his humility. Bergoglio’s decision to call himself Francis after St. Francis of Assisi was a metaphor for unity. 
The 76-year-old Bergoglio, said to have finished second when Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005, was chosen on just the fifth ballot to replace the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. The visit to St. Mary was intentional. Like many Latin American Catholics, Francis has a particular devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Yesterday, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and said he would take the name Francis. He is the first Latin American as well as the first Jesuit to become pope and is known for his work with the poor in Buenos Aires’ slums. As the 266th pope, Francis inherits a Catholic church in turmoil, beset by the clerical sex abuse scandal, internal divisions and dwindling numbers in parts of the world where Christianity had been strong for centuries. Known as a compassionate Argentine archbishop who focused on the poor, Pope Francis, exhibiting simplicity and humility, has chosen his name that reminds of Saint Francis of Assisi who was a symbol of bhakti in the Christian tradition.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Q. I am an initiated devotee of Krsna who finds inspiration in the lives and teachings of Christian saints, such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Theresa of Avila. Is it okay for initiated devotees to seek inspiration in other religious traditions?
A. There is no harm in taking inspiration from other traditions. When we see good qualities, intensity of practice, and dedication in other traditions, we should be inspired by such examples to apply ourselves that much more within our own tradition. Our sadhana may differ from those of other spiritual traditions, but wherever and to the extent that we see the fruit of our sadhana appearing in others, regardless of their tradition, we bow our heads. Having said that, it is important to note that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu teaches that the gopis are the best example of devotion.

Śrīla Bhakti Vedanta Tripurari Mahārāja :
"Where Real Life Begins"
Sri Caitanya Sanga
June 9, 2006, Vol. VIII, No. 6
http://www.swami.org  -  http://swamitripurari.com/
http://swamitripurari.com/2006/06/where-real-life-begins/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

BENEDICT XVI GIVES HIS LAST WORDS AS POPE

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S FINAL 
PUBLIC WORDS AS PONTIFF

http://bostonherald.com - Benedict XVI's time as pope came to a historic end Thursday, as he became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign as leader of the world's Roman Catholics. Pope Benedict XVI delivered his final public words as pope on Thursday to well-wishers gathered at the papal vacation retreat in Castel Gandolfo south of Rome. Here is the translation of what he said, delivered to a roaring crowd: 
"Dear friends, I'm happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8 o'clock this evening and then no more. I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth."

"But I would still ... thank you ... I would still with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your sympathy. Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!"
After he was bid goodbye by a line of cardinals, Benedict waved to the crowd of onlookers also gathered for the event. He was then ushered into a waiting black car and driven to the Vatican helipad, where he boarded a helicopter for Castel Gandolfo. As the helicopter took off into the sunny Roman sky, Benedict tweeted thanks to his followers. He will also continue to wear the white cassock associated with the papacy, however, he has said he plans to live out his retirement “hidden from the world.”

In a final public address as Pope, Benedict XVI thanked his followers for the last time Thursday, saying that he was starting the final stage of his life as “simply a pilgrim.” Benedict’s resignation took effect at 8 p.m. local time, making him the first Pope in six centuries to resign from the papacy. The pontiff’s last day was filled with emotion as Catholic followers gathered both in the Vatican and in Castel Gandolfo - the town of Benedict’s summer residence - to catch a glimpse of the 85-year-old. During his retirement, Benedict will be called “emeritus Pope” and “Your Holiness.” Vedic culture is not an organized religion like Christianity. It has no Pope. Despite Hinduism has no a rigid hierarchy, people do recognize and follow spiritual authorities or gurus.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Hinduism is not based solely on one personality or teacher. It is not like Catholicism which has one pope who is said to be the sole authority over all other Catholics who must obey the dictates of this one man. Hinduism can and does accept the teachings of numerous spiritual guides. .. Hinduism is not subject to an institution or a pope who alone claims to be in touch with God and knows the ultimate truth, upon whom we all are dependent, and who can dictate restrictions as he likes. In fact, any spiritual teacher is only as good to the degree in which he is at being a representation of God's love for us, or at being a transparent medium for the spiritual instructions of God and the previous acharyas or authorities.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
"Why Be A Hindu"
"The Advantages of the Vedic Path"
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/why_be_a_hindu_booklet.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/books_by_stephen_knapp.htm

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/