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Local Catholic church looking forward to new leader
Today Pope Francis, 76, will be installed as head of the Catholic Church, and with him comes many firsts and a new perspective.
Pope Francis is the first pope to come from South America where about 40 percent of the world's Roman Catholics live, the first Jesuit to become a pope and the first pope to take the name Francis.
"He'll have a completely different perspective, coming from South America, as opposed to Europe," said Father Robert Wachter, priest at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Pope Francis believes social outreach, rather than doctrinal battles will be the main business of the church, according to the Associated Press.
Each pope brings his own personal focus to the papacy, and Pope Francis' focus is to the poor, according to Janet Buntain, secretary of Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Fort Scott.
Catholics call this personal focus charism.
"Their charism, focus, is how they live out their dedication to Christ," Buntain said.
As the years pass, Catholics learn from the pope through his teachings of what his focus or purpose is, according to Buntain.
"Over time, we have a fuller understanding through the leadership of the pope," Buntain said.
An example of charism is when Pope John Paul brought the theology of the body of Christ, she said.
Changes in the way catholics practice their religion are unlikely, according to Wachter.
"In the liturgy, he, as pope, could change the liturgy in the mass," he said, but that will not be in the near future, if at all.
For catholics, the pope represents a spiritual father and Jesus Christ on earth, according to Wachter.
"He is our earthly leader," Buntain said.
Pope Francis is a Jesuit, a Roman Catholic order of religious men who serve as a preaching, teaching and missionary society, according to Webster's online dictionary.
"Teaching the faith is the focus of the Jesuits," Wachter said. "(The Jesuit order) was founded in the 1500's."
Along with the responsibility of becoming the church's leader, the person chosen as pope also receives a new name. Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Pope Francis shortly after being chosen pope on March 13.
"He's given a new name to signify a new position. He's the first to take the name Francis. St. Francis of Assisi was always known for helping the poor," Wachter said.
Buntain said the congregation is excited for the new catholic leader.
"The general feeling is excitement. Father (Wachter) did mention in his (Sunday) sermon that this is a time for other religions to ask questions about our faith," she said.
The Catholic cable channel, Eternal Word Television Network, is giving much coverage to the new pope, according to Buntain.
"It's exciting to get to know more about him," Buntain said.