TOP CHARACTERISTICS OF POPE FRANCIS WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HIS PONTIFICATE

The election of Pope Francis came as a surprise to many. His papal style became quite obvious, the moment he stepped out on St. Peter’s Balcony. Those who know him closely say that to truly understand what he says, one must first understand what he does. According to Msgr. Eduardo Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina): He is very receptive to what is happening. You've noticed these past few days that he prepares what he says, but if something happens, or if he sees something that strikes him, he will stop and mention it.

Even though it has only been a month since he was elected, there have been a set of gestures that come up time and time again. 

• Simplicity: He introduced himself to the world wearing plain papal vestments, without the red so called mozzetta shoulder cover, that was worn by his predecessors.  
• Approachability: For now, he has chosen to stay at the Casa Santa Marta, instead of the Apostolic Palace to be more readily available. He celebrates Mass for small groups of people, and continues calling friends over the phone. 
• Continuity and Fidelity to the Magisterium of his Predecessors: Visually speaking, the meeting between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI is what struck people the most. It happened just weeks after the Jesuit Pope was elected. 
• Tenderness: Pope Francis has shown that he wants to represent his closeness towards others, especially towards the needy and sick. 
• Service: In fact during his first Mass, he said the true power of a Pope, comes in service. The image of him washing the feet of young prisoners on Holy Thursday, was seen throughout the world. Surely in the future, the spontaneous Pope will give many more surprises.

Msgr. Eduardo Garcia, Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) further says that: In addition to shock and surprise, I think his election was providential and that will be a lot more clear with time. I'm convinced that in the future, Pope Francis, will surprise us even more through power of the Holy Spirit.

What is quite clear is that the language Pope Francis speaks best is that of gestures and actions.

> April 13, 2013. (Romereports.com) 

MSGR. GODFREY I. ONAH APPOINTED AS BISHOP-ELECT OF NSUKKA DIOCESE, NIGERIA.

Today April 13, 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis appointed Msgr. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah as Bishop elect of Nsukka Diocese, Nigeria.

Born in Imilike Ani, Enugu -Nigeria in 1956, Msgr. G. I. Onah was ordained a priest in 1984. He is an alumnus of Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, where he obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree respectively, both with First Class Honour. He did his doctorate degree in Philosophy in the Pontifical Urban University Rome, Italy. He defended his thesis in 1992 with First Class Honour, on the topic: “Self-transcendence and Human History in Wolfhart Pannenberg”. After his defense, he was appointed a lecturer of Philosophical Anthropology, and later succeeded Prof. Batista Mondin who was his moderator, and was occupying the chair of Philosophical Anthropology.

Until his appointment as bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Prof. Onah was holding the chair of Philosophical Anthropology, and at the same time serving his second tenure as the first African Vice Rector of his alma mater, the Pontifical Urban University Rome, Italy. He was also a consultor of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

Msgr. G. I. Onah would succeed Bishop Francis E. O. Okobo, who is retiring from the pastoral care of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka having reached the age limit.

Deede Uche’s World wishes to congratulate the Bishop-elect, Msgr. Prof. G. I. Onah on this appointment, and wishes him a successful episcopal ministry.

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