The media circus known as Popefest 2013 is coming to an end with the election of the first pontiff from the new world, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. He has selected the name Pope Francis I. He is 76 years old, so if he serves to age 85 as his predecessor did, he'll be around a while.

     According to the Wikipedia, Pope Francis appears to hold the same opinions on abortion and euthanasia as his forbears. His stance on homosexuality is pretty much the same, though he teaches the importance of respecting individuals who are homosexual. He opposed efforts of the government in his native Argentina to legalise same sex marriage, as well as stating that adoption by those who are gay is a form of discrimination against children.

All of us here at the Holabird Advocate wish our friends of the Catholic faith well in this new era in their Church and congratulate Pope Francis on his election.