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                  Argentinians in Rome Celebrate Pope Francis

   by Al Pessin

   The election of Pope Francis was especially meaningful for Rome's small
   Argentine community.
   It's a small church by Rome's standards, but on Sunday it was packed
   with Argentinians who came to honor the man many call "our pope."
   Argentinian priest Father Eduardo Mangirotti worked with Jorge Mario
   Bergoglio when he was the senior cardinal in Argentina.
   "When you meet him in person, he seems almost reserved," said
   Mangirotti. "But at the same time, when he preaches he has always been
   extremely straightforward, extremely passionate. I think that's what we
   can expect from a Latin American priest."
   Many in the congregation felt Pope Francis' selection very personally.
   "We are proud to have an Argentinians and Latin American pope," said
   one person. "We are doubly content and that's why we came here to
   celebrate."
   "Personally, I am very happy, very emotional, and I think this pope
   will bring to the Church the unity that Christianity needs," said
   another. "As Argentinians, we are very content."
   "I'm very, very happy. I think it will be a positive change for the
   Church because he's such a simple guy. I don't know. He's like such a
   friend, you know," said still another.
   Argentine Cardinal Stanislaw Karlic is a friend of the new pope and
   spoke at Sunday's service. He called the pope "our brother so close to
   us," and said his selection is "a gift" and "an honor."
   It was a view many in the church shared, but Father Eduardo said the
   selection also carries responsibility.
   "It's both a gift and it's also a job for us, so to speak," he said. "I
   think it calls us to be even more committed as Christians to the
   preaching of the Gospel, to the service of other people, and as
   Argentineans to a deeper commitment to our country and also to the
   world."
   It's a new role for these Argentinians, and a new sense of pride. They
   expect "their pope" to make them even more proud - to overcome
   scandals, bring Catholics worldwide together and be a man of the
   people. That's a lot for someone said to be shy and humble, who used to
   ride the bus to work back home, just like many of these people did.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/argentinians-in-rome-celebrate-pope-f
   rancis/1624020.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/argentinians-in-rome-celebrate-pope-francis/1624020.html