A very short, but very touching report on some of what happened in conclave.

"May God forgive you for what you´ve done." I think I´m gonna like this Pope.

Thrilled, first time in many MANY years with the Catholic Church.

I echo the above sentiments. A very moving story. I´m beginning to see why he was selected, such a humble and holy man (with a sense of humor!)

Already love our Holy Father. AMDG

He is a humble and holy man. The Holy Spirit guided them to make the perfect choice.

FTA: Then each man moved to the front and took an oath not to reveal what was about to occur: "we promise and swear not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new pontiff."

If that´s true, then how did this story get out? How do we know IF it´s even true?

I think this will be a wonderful pope. I can´t say I follow the Catholic church anymore but I feel they got it right with this guy. He seems simple and humble.

A lovely story and very believeable. Those of the Catholic faith are fortunate to have this humble man leading them.

#7 Read the article again. The story is post election of Francis.
#5 I see you have had a Jesuit education or your children have had as mine have had.
ADMG

I did not have a Jesuit education, but at grade school, we put the initials AMDG (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam - For the greater glory of God) at the top of all our papers.

I am happy, happy, happy with Pope Francis. I think he will do well and the MSM will hate him.

Sweet recounting.

The last Pope who said may God forgive you for what you have done, died shortly thereafter. Hope that doesn´t happen here. And I hope, now that we have a new Pope who will be around for a while, o´malley will stop campaigning and get back here and actually "heal" the Church in MA. It is so sad to go to mass and see all the empty pews. And people here are so hurt and disillusioned (and angry)I fear o´malley won´t be up to the job. He certainly hasn´t done any "healing" thus far.

I´m sure this Godly man is as good as they come and well worthy of the office. Having said that, though, I wish he were ten years younger. With the fractured condition of the Catholic Church today and the array of secular enemies she faces Il Papa is going to have a lot of work to do. May God grant him many more years of healthy life.

Of all the attributes of the Church, one of the most important is continuity. Whether this Pope serves two years, ten, or more, the Church is bigger than one man (other than Christ) and will continue to find holy men to lead it, mostly by example. The age of the Pope bothers me not at all. Trust in the Spirit.

The Catholic Church is NOT fractured. That´s a myth that the media likes to spread whenever the Church is in the news. They do it every year at Easter too.

I´m sorry for what #13 reports about the Church in Massachusetts, but it probably has more to do with that state and it´s leftist secular bent than with the Church. Here in Virginia, my local parish in a rural area is standing room only at each of the 6 masses each weekend. Fortunately we built our church on farm land with lots of acreage so we have plenty of room for expansion - which we´ve been doing continuously for the last 20 years. We keep running out of room.

Finally a Pope identifying a long over-looked problem: gay adoption.
Pope Francis (God bless him) said gay adoption was "child discrimination."
Amen

This is a beautiful article. I don´t know why, but I can´t stop weeping. Although all are of God, we don´t often meet people who are truly touched by God, shining through and through with His Presence. When you do, you just know. I just know with this Pope. He is so different from those we know as leaders. It´s like finally getting pure, delicious water when you´ve been dying of thirst. God has heard our prayers and has lifted us up out of the agony of our confusion and despair. Sorry that this is so flowery, but I´m just so moved for reasons too numerous to list.

and not a word on the front page of the Vatican Bank Scandal.

Ahhhhh! The Italians once again, as they did with John Paul II (who also was elected during a Vatican bank scandal) have pulled a fast one over on the sheeple.

What a bunch of crooks. A group Obama would fit i nicely with.

I am Catholic and I´ve been smiling ever since my Pope Francis stepped out on to the balconey....

What a genuine man!!

AND -- WE Catholics may have gone to the end of the earth to call him OUR Pope -- but God´s hand was on this and Pope Francis will lead with love.....

LZK

So humble is His Holiness Pope Francis. Very touching view into conclave.

ADMG= Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam. For the greater glory of God.

I really like this Pope.

Works for me. He sounds real. The church needs real.

#10 I did read it again, and this statement still stands out: Then each man moved to the front and took an oath not to reveal what was about to occur: "we promise and swear not to break this secret in any way, either during or after the election of the new pontiff."

Which is why I asked how this story got out? and by whom? And is it even true?

#10 & #11, my son had a Jesuit education for which I will always be grateful....Jesuit High School in New Orleans. I had a Holy Cross education which was also very good. AMDG

#7 & #24, the author also reports: “But as is customary, the cardinals involved share memories of their experience.” That statement kinda gave me a confort zone to go ahead and post what I thought was a truly remarkable account, even more so because it was devoid of the snarkiness typical to other MSM articles, including from the AP.

I share #15’s sentiment on Pope Francis’ age...doesn’t bother me at all and indeed is in line with what I hoped for, as I sensed there was a need for a seasoned Pope who could extend the period of transition we saw under Pope Benedict’s brief tenure while also serving as a role model, teacher, and molder of the some of the younger dynamic Cardinals we’ve read about over the last month or so and the others who are moving up in the Church hierarchy. Some may recall that I hoped for the selection of another Cardinal who just turned 80 for the very same reason...Pope Francis meets that felt need, and so very much more! This sentiment from a non-Catholic who believes the Pope will serve as an example of how other denominations should approach their ministry.

#18, thank you!
We are so blessed to have this humble man.
For those who have nothing but hate in their hearts for Catholicism - and, I include most of the media - and Catholics, watch out.
The Church stands immutable in a sea of fluidity and descent into secularism by most of society.
God bless our Francis and those who heard the Voice of the Spirit.
Lovely remembrances here.

10 - you´ve made me giggle. I didn´t recognize ADMG (grew up with JMJ) so I asked Mr Google. First listing was:

Acronym Definition; ADMG: Association of Deer Management Groups (est. 1992; Scotland, UK)

I presumed that was not the correct acronym and that the second reference (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Latin: For the Greater Glory of God)
was probably more correct...

A good article. A good man. A good Vicar of Christ. May the Lord keep him safe and bless his actions.

The church is not fractured.A leftist talking point.Our church here in a suburb of San Francisco is packed every Sunday.In the Philippines where Catholics are a majority,People are passionate about their faith.

Pope Francis I won me over with his choice of name, his Jesuit background, and his modest lifestyle. I am not the only person who thinks (hopes?) that this Pope can (and will) be a force for goodness, justice and mercy.
The world seems to have drawn a deep breath... and the breathing seems to be a bit easier now.

Taking the article on its face, except for "frenzied masses" [so as not to go off track or be here all evening; I saw the energy of excitement; I sure didn´t see "frenzy"], what strikes me is a man of decency, humility, service, and accomplishment ascending to an new, perhaps unanticipated, humility. If I am correct, it is a fine lesson for any Pope, any leader, for any man.