A Radical Pope?

Pope Francis shows no sign of abating in his stated determination to introduce reform in the Catholic Church. In his encyclical "Evangelii Gaudium" the Argentinian pontiff described unfettered capitalism as "a new tyranny".

While this is is almost certain to set him on a collision course with the more conservative elements perhaps even more challenging to the power of tradition is his statement:

I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.

Pope John Paul II during his visit to Ireland in 1979

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Shake up at the Vatican

The newly installed Pope Francis has announced his intention to make significant changes in the management of the Roman Catholic Church.

He is to create a panel of eight cardinals from across the globe to advise him. Each of the cardinals is reported to have a history of reform and have been critical of the status quo within the Church.

According to one historian out is the "most important step in the history of the church for the past 10 centuries".

A section of the crowd during the 1979 papal visit to Ireland

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Cardinal Hopes

1952 Irish rugby selection leaves for Argentina

In his Easter message Cardinal Sean Brady said he had high hopes for the new papacy under Pope Francis. The cardinal said, 'Pope Francis’s inspiring words have been supported by actions, which have provided iconic images beamed across the world.'




As our photo suggests Argentina, the home country of Pope Francis where as Jorge Bergoglio he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, has a long been identified with the world of sport. However it is also known for different reasons. In addition to producing Diego Maradona, the famed soccer player, it has also given the world Jorge Videla who is renowned for leading a massive assault on human rights during the military dictatorship of 1976-83.

Pope Francis's role during the country's Dirty War has been called into question although the Vatican has denied any wrongdoing on the part of the first non European pontiff.

President meets Pope

President Michael D Higgins represented Ireland at the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome on Tuesday last. The President addressed the pope in Spanish.

President Hillery and Pope John Paul 11 - Ireland 1979

Pope Francis as Jorge Marie Bergoglio was cardinal of Argentina prior to his election to the papacy. In October President Higgins visited that country's capital. While there he unveiled a plaque in honour of Patrick Rice on the anniversary of his arrest. Rice, who died in 2010, was a missionary priest and human rights worker from Co Cork who was detained and tortured by Argentine security forces before pressure from the Irish government led to his release.

Cardinal Brady said he expects the new pontiff to be invited to Ireland. If Ireland is to host a papal visit it will be the country's first since 1979.

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We have a Pope

With the words 'Habemus Papem' the world was informed that a new man had been elected to lead the world's I.2 billion Roman Catholics. Pope Francis has stepped in to the shoes of his predecessor Pope Benedict who resigned after six years in the job.

However,  there may something rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark. Already there are investigative reporters digging into the past of Cardinal Jorge Mario former Arch Bishop of Buenos Aires. Human rights bodies and the Argentine Left accuse the new pontiff of having being linked to the Dirty War regime that governed Argentina from 1976 to 1983. During the period thousands of people were tortured, raped, murdered and disappeared by the government as it sought to close down opposition to its rule.

The Roman Catholic Church might not yet be free from the scandal that has dogged the Vatican in recent years.

1st October 1979 - Pope John Paul II visits Ireland

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