What Can We Expect of New Pope Francis?  
 
By Dr. Eladio Jose Armesto
Treasurer, Una Voce Miami

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope! On Tuesday, March 13th, the Church’s College of Cardinals elected Pope, Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina. What can the universal Church expect of its new Pope? What kind of shepherd was he to the Catholic faithful of Buenos Aires?
 
In Saint Matthew’s gospel, 7:15-20, Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us how to discern the good from the bad: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.”

DUBIOUS FRUITS?

So then, what are the fruits of Cardinal Bergoglio’s work in Argentina? As cardinal, Pope Francis took doctrinally correct positions on so-called “ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ” marriage, the crime of abortion, and the protection of abandoned and orphaned children from falling into the hands of ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖs via adoption. For this we are truly grateful.
 
Sadly, however, under his watch, Catholic Mass attendance plummeted, while Catholic desertions to other religions and sects skyrocketed. Priestly and religious vocations took a nose dive, while demoralization of the clergy proliferated. Evangelization of argentine society was practically nonexistent, while public immorality raged unabated. The Social Kingship of Christ was ignored; while liberal Democracy was extolled as the highest political good. The centuries-old Traditional Latin Mass, a liturgical treasure of the Church, was suppressed; while public liturgical acts were invariably reduced to profane, irreverent song and dance fests.
 
Cardinal Bergoglio cultivated an image of a humble, simple churchman that rode the bus, cooked his own food, and lived in a modest apartment with another priest. Yet he had no qualms to openly impose his authority to undermine the courageous work of Catholics seeking to restore the rights of Christ the King or to scuttle the labor of love of Catholics faithful to the Traditional Latin Mass and sacramental rites. Can humility be reconciled with contempt and indifference towards the rights of Christ and Tradition? How?

DUBIOUS HUMILITY?
 
Thus, it is only fair and just to ask: has Cardinal Bergoglio’s strident humility been more the humiliation of the Church, than of himself? In other words, has his apparent humility brought about the exaltation of the Church at the expense of his public image, or has it brought about the exaltation of his public image at the expense of the Church? The answer, undoubtedly, is troubling, disconcerting, scary, even.
 
And while it is only natural that Catholics give our new Pope the benefit of the doubt; that we give him a chance to prove himself worthy of the Chair of Saint Peter, the truth is that Cardinal Bergoglio's track record leaves much to be desired. He leaves Argentina in shambles morally, spiritually, and religiously. Yes, it is always proper to hope and pray for the best, but let us also not forget that it is always prudent to prepare for the worst.
 
Yet, regardless of the direction Pope Francis takes the Church, our souls are not his to do with as he pleases. Ultimately, on Judgment Day we must all answer to God for our thoughts and deeds. In godly anticipation of that transcendent moment, let us join Saint Peter Canisius in affirming: “More than the Lord Pope, we wish to please the Pope’s Lord.”
 
Ever mindful of the need for prayer and vigilance in the days ahead, we humbly ask God help Pope Francis protect and guide the Church!
 
 
*** Dr. Eladio Jose Armesto is Treasurer of Una Voce Miami, the Miami chapter of Una Voce America, the worldwide Catholic organization promoting love for the Traditional Latin Mass, traditional sacramental rights, and Gregorian chant; Past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 5110, Miami, Florida, Publisher of El Nuevo PATRIA newspaper, and Treasurer of the US Hispanic Publishers Federation. He can be reached at 786/286-8787 or patrianews@aol.com.

It seems to me that everyone here needs to hear this:  

The erstwhile Fr. Brogoglio had studied for some 8 or more years to become
a Jesuit, after which time, "he rose very quickly through the ranks," making
each step of the way in short order - from priest to bishop to archbishop to
cardinal, and there is no way he could have done so in the Jesuits if he had
been a traditionalist, because only the liberals move up in the Jesuits and
only the ultra-liberals move up quickly.  We get the prelates we deserve.

Take an example of the other extreme, a very traditional Catholic Jesuit like
Fr. Frederick Schell.  He studied for many years as well, for the required
course of time, but there is absolutely no way he would ever have made a
promotion to any higher rank of ordination or supervision.  On the contrary,
when he told his bishop in his no-nonsense Texas style, that he could not in
good conscience distribute communion-in-the-hand, his bishop expelled him
from the diocese.  He was cast adrift at sea, basically.  It was only due to
the persistent support of scattered Catholic Faithful who requested of him to
provide the Canonized Traditional Latin Mass that he was able to survive in
this modern world of diabolical disorientation.  And he would have made a
most excellent pope.  But apparently the world, and many of us in it, did not
deserve him.  

What would make a lifetime liberal like Pope Francis convert and become
traditional?  It would seem that only a prodigious miracle of grace could do
that.  But isn't that exactly what Our Lady promised that she would do for
the entire nation of Russia?  If she can do it for Russia, why could she not do
it for one little man in the Vatican?  Would it be because we don't deserve it?

If I had to guess what will happen in his pontificate my guess is that he will come out with some statement or teaching which rides roughshod over the first commandment.  Not just Assisi IV, though I am pretty sure we will get that too, but a statement teaching or encyclical that strong suggests or explicitly teaches, in as much as any modernist can say anything without ambiguity, that all religions are paths to salvation.

I.e. more pluralistic and syncretist than even JP2.

It seems to me that everyone here needs to hear this:  

The erstwhile Fr. Brogoglio had studied for some 8 or more years to become
a Jesuit, after which time, "he rose very quickly through the ranks," making
each step of the way in short order - from priest to bishop to archbishop to
cardinal, and there is no way he could have done so in the Jesuits if he had
been a traditionalist, because only the liberals move up in the Jesuits and
only the ultra-liberals move up quickly.  We get the prelates we deserve.

Take an example of the other extreme, a very traditional Catholic Jesuit like
Fr. Frederick Schell.  He studied for many years as well, for the required
course of time, but there is absolutely no way he would ever have made a
promotion to any higher rank of ordination or supervision.  On the contrary,
when he told his bishop in his no-nonsense Texas style, that he could not in
good conscience distribute communion-in-the-hand, his bishop expelled him
from the diocese.  He was cast adrift at sea, basically.  It was only due to
the persistent support of scattered Catholic Faithful who requested of him to
provide the Canonized Traditional Latin Mass that he was able to survive in
this modern world of diabolical disorientation.  And he would have made a
most excellent pope.  But apparently the world, and many of us in it, did not
deserve him.  

What would make a lifetime liberal like Pope Francis convert and become
traditional?  It would seem that only a prodigious miracle of grace could do
that.  But isn't that exactly what Our Lady promised that she would do for
the entire nation of Russia?  If she can do it for Russia, why could she not do
it for one little man in the Vatican?  Would it be because we don't deserve it?

Very well expressed, as always Neil.  

Question: Where is the good Father Schell now?  What a hero... A quiet, dry martyr.

Take an example of the other extreme, a very traditional Catholic Jesuit like
Fr. Frederick Schell.  He studied for many years as well, for the required
course of time, but there is absolutely no way he would ever have made a
promotion to any higher rank of ordination or supervision.  On the contrary,
when he told his bishop in his no-nonsense Texas style, that he could not in
good conscience distribute communion-in-the-hand, his bishop expelled him
from the diocese.  He was cast adrift at sea, basically.  It was only due to
the persistent support of scattered Catholic Faithful who requested of him to
provide the Canonized Traditional Latin Mass that he was able to survive in
this modern world of diabolical disorientation.  And he would have made a
most excellent pope.  But apparently the world, and many of us in it, did not
deserve him.  

God bless Father Schell!  My first Latin Mass and a great help in my conversion.  May he rest in peace!