“At inaugural Mass, Pope Francis calls for defending environment, poor”
Read a March 19, 2013, Religion News Service story about Pope Francis’ inaugural Mass. Among other things, he called for people in positions of power to be “protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.”
“Pope Francis to visit Benedict next week at papal retreat”
A March 16, 2013, Fox News story outlined Francis’ plans to visit his predecessor, a meeting that — though private — may offer hints on how the two men will handle their extraordinary situation.
“Vatican defends Pope Francis’ actions during Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’”
In another March 15, 2013, RNS article, the Vatican defended Francis’ actions during Argentina’s 1970s military dictatorship.
“The story behind Pope Francis’ election”
A March 15, 2013, RNS story gives behind-the-scenes details of the selection process.
“Pope Francis: Jesuit to the Rescue”
A Forbes column looks at the management and leadership qualities fostered by the religious order and says those traits should serve the new pope well.
“CNN Vatican analyst: Pope Francis’ name choice ‘precedent shattering'”
National Catholic Reporter Senior Correspondent John Allen Jr., who also serves as CNN’s Vatican expert, called the pope’s choice of names “precedent-shattering” and discussed what it might symbolize.
“Conclave Elects Pope Francis”
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports that as of 2010, 39 percent of the world’s Catholics live in Latin America and nearly three-quarters of that region’s population is Catholic.
“Reactions to Pope Francis’ election”
Religion News Service posted reactions from other religious and secular leaders. In a separate RNS story, Jewish leaders said they see an ally in Francis.