Sir, – Yes, “Habemus Franciscum” (Editorial, March 14th). But Francis who? I was surprised that your editorial failed to ask this. Some people thought it was the great Jesuit missionary St Francis Xavier , but we know now that Pope Francis took his name from St Francis of Assisi, lover of the poor and animals. Without being pedantic, I think it is important to emphasise that. – Yours, etc,
JOE MURRAY,
Beggars Bush Court,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.
Sir, – It should not be considered surprising if within five years the College of Cardinals is again selecting a new pope following another papal retirement. As no cardinal who reaches 80 years of age can vote to elect a pope, no cardinal who reaches age 70 should be elected pope. It is long past the time when a pope could sit within the walls of the Vatican and simply issue statements to deal with critical issues, and do little or no travelling outside Italy. – Yours, etc,
DAN DONOVAN,
Shandon Street,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford .
A chara, – It has taken the surprise election of Pope Francis to get Deputy Ming Flanagan and his points off the Front page! Thank God. The Lord works in mysterious ways, mar a deirtear. – Is mise,
FRANK RUSSELL,
Main Street,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.
Sir, – Congratulations to the new Pope Francis. A proud day for Argentina and the Jesuits. And all this the day after another God-like performance from another Argentinean in Barcelona. No real surprise that a man of 76 years would be selected or that another conservative would be elected. I don’t believe anyone thought that the cardinals would have picked someone under the age of 70. God knows how John Paul II ever got selected at the rather youthful age of 58 (pardon the pun). I am sure all the great Catholic women around the world will be wondering what their place is in this Pope’ s vision when all he could mention in his first short speech is brotherhood and that there might be a great sense of brotherhood. We will watch and see what happens. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS KING,
Solomons Manor,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Opining on the selection of the new Pope, might I offer the last words of Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind . . . – Yours, etc,
JOHN GLEESON,
Lucan Road,
Chapelizod,
Dublin 20.
Sir, – I am annoyed by the way in which so-called national broadcaster, RTÉ, has turned into Vatican Radio for the past week. The whole news team was shipped out, including Miriam O’Callaghan, Bryan Dobson and Seán O’Rourke. What could any one of these done in Rome that could not be done from Dublin? It is galling that the costs of this deferential junket to the centre of power of the wealthy and corrupt institution that destroyed the lives of tens of thousands of Irish citizens is being paid for by me and thousands like me – the licence-payers. National broadcaster? More like a national disgrace.
ANTHONY O’LEARY,
Blackberry Rise,
Portmarnock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Now that there’s a first Pope Francis in the world, how long before there’s a first Pope Frances? – Yours, etc,
BRIAN AHERN,
Meadow Copse,
Clonsilla,
Dublin 15.