Habemus Papam! Welcome Pope Francis!

After just two days since the conclave started in Vatican City, white smoke appeared on the Sistine Chapel chimney which indicates that the College of Cardinals have chosen a new pope that will lead the Catholic Church. 

He is Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio from Argentina, 76 years old and a Jesuit priest has been elevated as the newest pope replacing the position by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI. The conclave which started Tuesday (March 12) has been much awaited by many Catholics around the world and is the first conclave that trended in the social media era. 

The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI suprized the world with his announcement of his resignation as the supreme pontif of the Catholic Church. It was unusual for Popes to resign since their title would usually be with them until their death. But he shares his letter on the real reason of his resignation with the letter below:

Year of Faith Declared by Pope Benedict XVI

This coming 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013 is declared as the YEAR OF FAITH  by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The previous year, it was declared as the Year of the Mission.

What is a Year of Faith?

The upcoming Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011,Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013. October 11, 2012, the first day of the Year of Faith, is the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.