I know, it’s a few days late, but it’s been a busy week! For those of you who don’t read Latin (and really, how many of us do?) the title of this post translates to “We have a pope!”, the declaration made by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran on Tuesday.

This was followed by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio from Argentina stepping out onto the balcony. He had chosen the name Pope Francis, likely after St. Francis of Assisi, known for his work with the poor and his compassion for animals.

I love that Pope Francis is a man of firsts. The first Latin American pope – make that the first from the Americas. The first Jesuit. The first to choose the name Francis. More than the actual stats, he started of his papacy with a series of firsts. He refused to stand on the platform to elevate himself above those around him (a sign that he might think of himself more as the “pope of the people”?). In a very humble gesure, instead of offering his blessing on those gathered at the Vatican to celebrate, he asked that they bless him.

I’m excited to see what Pope Francis is able to do in his time as the Pope – I’m hoping that he can help to reinvigorate the church! He is an extremely intelligent man (he has a masters degree in chemistry!) and prides himself on living humbly and giving back to the people.