Habemus papem Franciscum.

               With these words intoned by the by the senior Cardinal Deacon from the Balcony of St. Peters Basilica in Rome last week, the world learned the name of the latest faith leader. White smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel told the world a choice had been made. The final step was to introduce him to the faithful and to the world.

               I kept a distant eye on those events though the day, having other work to attend to. But with a mobile phone, I was never far from catching up on the results of the conclave.

               Although I am a liberal Protestant by profession and by theology, I fully recognize the impact and influence the Pope has on the world.

               When I was studying theology, I attended a United Church college. But it was a part of a much larger, ecumenical school. There were Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans and multiple orders of Roman Catholics, from Basilian to Jesuits to diocesan candidates, all attending classes and engaging professors. It was as if denominational bounds did not exist and we were free to listen and questions and challenge and learn from each other's traditions.

               One of the most powerful, yet least recognized influences of any Pope was that of John XXIII. His initiation of the Second Vatican Council, which looked at all aspects of the relationship of the Roman Catholic Church and the world, profoundly affected worship not just in the Roman Catholic church itself but in the whole of Christendom.

               The worship patterns of approaching God, hearing God’s word and responding to that word came from the liturgical renewal movement sparked by Vatican II. Today, that worship order is accepted and practice across denominational boundaries. It means that the same bible readings will be heard in the Roman Catholic, Anglican United, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches in Canada on any given Sunday. It’s not unusual for people to discuss over coffee at Tim Horton’s after church what they heard the Father Peter say and compare it to what Rev. Bob or Pastor Marion said on the same text in the local United or Lutheran congregations.

               In Canada, we have had for thirty years a mutual agreement to recognize baptism between the Presbyterian, Lutheran, United Church, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. This mutual recognition has allowed, among other things, non-Roman Catholic children to attend Catholic school if their parents wish, without any difficulty.

               In Bruce County we have two marvelous examples of co-operation between churches, where the United Church and Roman Catholic parish share church worship space in Lion’s Head and Tobermory. When the new church was built in Tobermory, the Roman Catholic diocese was a funding partner.

               The election of Francis is another sign of that movement forward.

               Consider this.

               The name of the new pope, Francis, honors St. Francis of Assisi, a humble man whose faith was legendary. It also honors St. Francis Xavier, the founder of the Jesuit order, of which Francis is a member.

               Having a Jesuit as pope is unusual. Jesuits normally live simple lives, rarely, if ever, accepting church leadership positions. But Francis did. 

               This is Jesuit tradition reflected in the stories appearing about Francis. He lived in his own apartment and cooked for himself and not in the Bishop’s Palace in Buenos Ares. He rode the subway and didn’t use a limousine. He said Mass with the homeless and prostitutes of his city.

               Francis’ first words to the public as pontiff were in Italian, not Latin and they were “Buena Sera” or “Good Evening”.  He asked the people to pray for him and bless him before he offered his first blessing. And the day after his election, he returned to his hotel, picked up his own bags, paid his own bill and shook hands with the hotel staff.

               Without question, Francis faces huge issues. The scandal of clergy abuse will not go away. The challenges of a world of materialism are directly opposed to the community of faith and the preference of Jesus for the poor and those on the edges of society.

               Martin Capparos said this week in the New York Times that “God does not play dice with the universe, but he certainly laughs a lot.”

               I suspect that God is laughing that his church has elected an outsider, a man from the Global South and a Jesuit as leader of the largest part of Christendom. But I also believe that el Papa Francisco, as he is called in Spanish, will have surprises and laughter in the future for us all.

Rev. David Shearman is the minister of Central Westside United Church, Owen Sound and the host of Faithworks on Rogers TV - Grey County, Cable 53.