Vatican City 2013 papal election

[Franzl]

I like this pick. Of course he's a social conservative, but his other features are very encouraging.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

I like this pick. Of course he's a social conservative, but his other features are very encouraging.

This is about how I'm feeling too.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

In any case they're all rather socially conservative. It's part of the job description of being a cardinal.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I like this pick. Of course he's a social conservative, but his other features are very encouraging.

This is about how I'm feeling too.

Same for me.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

What's his view on contraception?

[Tender Branson]

While he's a staunch anti-homo, his social views are good.

What are his positions on women ?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

What's his view on contraception?

Generically against.

[minionofmidas]

What are his positions on women ?

Generically against.

[minionofmidas]

In any case they're all rather socially conservative. It's part of the job description of being a cardinal.

While that is technically correct... You certainly couldn't call Karl Lehmann, the bishop of Mainz, a "social conservative" within the context of the German church, let alone the worldwide one.

And yes, he voted today.

[MaxQue]

What's his view on contraception?

Socially conservative, of course, but his views and contact with poverty is encouraging.

[DC Al Fine]

What are his positions on women ?

Generically against.

He's pro-baby which is good news though

[DC Al Fine]

What's his view on contraception?

Socially conservative, of course, but his views and contact with poverty is encouraging.

Is he anti-poverty in the form of state spending or does he lean more towards individual charity?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

What's his view on contraception?

Socially conservative, of course, but his views and contact with poverty is encouraging.

Is he anti-poverty in the form of state spending or does he lean more towards individual charity?

He doesn't really seem interested in that distinction, actually. He's criticized free-market capitalism but not to the extent of being aligned with liberation theology.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

And much like being socially conservative is part of the job description, so also is being less than entirely keen on free market capitalism. You're really just looking to see how far it's taken.

[MaxQue]

What's his view on contraception?

Socially conservative, of course, but his views and contact with poverty is encouraging.

Is he anti-poverty in the form of state spending or does he lean more towards individual charity?

In the sense of being aware of what poverty is and working with poor people to improve their lifes, instead of enclosing himself in an ivory tower. He seems humble, too, but that's only a feeling.

[DC Al Fine]

What's his view on contraception?

Socially conservative, of course, but his views and contact with poverty is encouraging.

Is he anti-poverty in the form of state spending or does he lean more towards individual charity?

He doesn't really seem interested in that distinction, actually. He's criticized free-market capitalism but not to the extent of being aligned with liberation theology.

Seems acceptable enough for me then. Not that my opinion matters

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

And much like being socially conservative is part of the job description, so also is being less than entirely keen on free market capitalism. You're really just looking to see how far it's taken.

True. The leadership of the Catholic Church really can't be placed on a left-right spectrum as easily as the staggeringly facile American chattering classes think it can.

[Antonio the Sixth]

And much like being socially conservative is part of the job description, so also is being less than entirely keen on free market capitalism. You're really just looking to see how far it's taken.

Indeed. From what I've heard so far, it seems that he uses to put emphasis on the latter. So I can't complain.

[afleitch]

On gay marriage;

"Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God."

So it's the devils will in his eyes basically. I don't care what he eats, what he drives, where he lives or what kind words he throws at the poor. It still makes him an arse.

[SPQR]

I am very glad with the outcome.
I belonged to the "anyone but Scola" party,and Bergoglio's initial speech was simple,humble,and seemed to represent a different kind of Church from the one we have been seeing lately.

Also choosing Francesco as his name is very significant,and I would have never expected such a choice.
Obviously I like it,also given that my name is also Francesco

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

On gay marriage;

"Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God."

So it's the devils will in his eyes basically. I don't care what he eats, what he drives, where he lives or what kind words he throws at the poor. It still makes him an arse.

It does, and there weren't really any realistic options of whom that isn't true. One can, however, be more or less of an arse than all the other arses. Being more of an arse than Schönborn but less of an arse than practically every other realistic contender, Francis is, for me, a source of extremely tentative and skittish relative optimism.

[ilikeverin]

Aww, he has a sweet little smile.  He satisfies the "I want to hug him" criterion.

[ERvND]

Also choosing Francesco as his name is very significant,and I would have never expected such a choice.
Obviously I like it,also given that my name is also Francesco

Oddly enough, while I didn't foresee the new pope's identity (my "money" was on Scherer), I predicted the papal name correctly.

Some days ago, I browsed through the list of papal names, and it immediately stood out to me that Franciscus / Francis had never been chosen. Given the significance of Francis of Assisi as a saint, this seemed weird. I thought that if the new pope wanted to stress his humility and a certain distance to the traditional church establishment, he should really choose "Franciscus".

Now I am glad that he took my advice.

[afleitch]

On gay marriage;

"Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God."

So it's the devils will in his eyes basically. I don't care what he eats, what he drives, where he lives or what kind words he throws at the poor. It still makes him an arse.

It obviously does, and there weren't really any realistic options of whom that isn't true. One can, however, be more or less of an arse than all the other arses. Being more of an arse than Schönborn but less of an arse than practically every other realistic contender, Francis is, for me, a source of extremely tentative and skittish relative optimism.

It's not only that. He had ties to the Argentine military dictatorship too which is disturbing. He was accused of hiding political prisoners of the state from human rights inspectors in his holiday home. That is quite frightening.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Aww, he has a sweet little smile.  He satisfies the "I want to hug him" criterion.

Indeed!