Jubilant Catholics in Manipur hail the new Pope
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, March 15 2013 : Catholics in Manipur have more reasons to be happy about choosing of Jorge Bergoglio as the new Pope, because the new Pope Francis aka Jorge Bergoglio is not just a simple follower of Christ who got elected to the highest order of the Catholics but he is also from a developing country.

Talking to Newmai News Network this morning, Archbishop of Imphal Rev Dominic Lumon said, "We are very, very happy that our spiritual leader was elected from a developing country" .

The Archbishop of Imphal hoped that since the new Pope hails from Argentina, a developing country, he will understand better the plights of the down trodden and marginalised people in the under-developed and developing countries.

While congratulating Pope Francis, Rev Dominic Lumon said the new Pope is a man of humility, justice and a simpleton.

"I don't mean to say that the past Popes did not have these qualities," he said, adding "We are also very happy to express our feelings that the new Pope has been chosen within a two-week's time" .

Senior Cabinet Minister and a devout Catholic, Francis Ngajokpa has also expressed similar views like the Archbishop of Imphal.

Francis Ngajokpa said Jorge Mario Bergoglio is a very popular Catholic leader owing to his down-to-earth nature.

"He is known for his humbleness, simplicity and dynamism," Francis Ngajokpa, who shares the same name of the new Pope, said while adding, "By choosing the very name of Francis, the new Pope's nature is revealed" .

Narrating the story of the 13th Century's Saint Francis of Assisi (Italy), Francis Ngajokpa said the Saint had to relief himself off from his rich businessman father's wealthy living environment in order to serve the poor.

Saint Francis of Assisi chose to live the life of a pauper while preaching compassion.

"Since Pope Francis is a humble leader full of humility, I'm sure such a Pope is the need of the hour.

Having said this, I don't say that the former Popes were inferior in value," expressed Francis Ngajokpa.

He also said that the new Pope had done so much in his country Argentina and "we have heard that he is a great social reformer in Argentina who also wants the world's equality" .

Peter Adani, editor of The Hornbill Express newspaper based in Senapati district headquarters, who is also a devout Catholic, has this to say, "When someone from such a background becomes a leader, our hopes are very high" .

Peter Adani also observed that by virtue of his background one can expect much from the new Pope.

Noted activist Kho John while appreciating the outgoing Pope Benedict XVI, said that the Catholics need a younger Pope.

"It was a right decision to choose Pope Francis.

He is young and dynamic.

In these days of fast changing world, a Pope should be able to cope with it," said Kho John.

He then said, "I also appreciate the former Pope.

He had stepped down boldly paving way for the younger people to take his place.

The former Pope had also taken a right decision, said the activist.

According to Kho John, unless a person possesses a kind of humbleness, humility and boldness, it would be hard to do what the earlier Pope had done.

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