Boehner: Pope Francis will bring ‘fresh eyes,’ reform to Vatican

By Molly K. Hooper - 03/17/13 11:50 AM ET

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), a practicing Catholic, praised the election of Pope Francis and said he was optimistic the new pope would bring reform to the Vatican.

“I do believe that Pope Francis is the right person to really bring reform to the church,” said Boehner on ABC’s “This Week.”

The Speaker said the Vatican is plagued by “a number of issues” that he believes “need fresh eyes.”

“He’s clearly made a commitment to clean up some of the problems that the church has had,” said Boehner of the new pope. “And it's pretty clear-- from his humble nature that-- that his papacy will be one that I think a lot of people will appreciate.”

The Vatican cardinals last week elected Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new pope. He took the name of Francis, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, who formally resigned in February. 

“This is the first time that we've had a pope from the Americas,” Boehner added.  “So, I think it's a giant step forward for the church. Latin America is a very, very Catholic continent.”

Boehner declined an invitation from the White House to join a delegation that will attend the papal installation mass, saying that he would need to stay in Washington to move the House budget and to meet the Irish prime minister, who is arriving this week.

Boehner, though, said he was “grateful for the invitation” from the White House. 

"Unfortunately, my duties in the House next week -- including hosting President Obama and the prime minister of Ireland at the Capitol on Tuesday, and the debate on the budget -- make that impossible," Boehner said last week.

Vice President Joe Biden is leading the delegation to Rome, and will be joined by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

View Comments

View the original article here

Pope Francis elected by Vatican cardinals

Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was selected as the new pope on Wednesday, taking the name of Francis.

Pope Francis succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who formally resigned on Feb. 28.

Vice President Joe Biden will lead the U.S. delegation to Francis's installation mass, the White House confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

President Obama was notified that the Vatican selected a new pope while he was in a closed-door session with House Republicans.

Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors passed Obama the note during the meeting, according to a senior aide in the room. The aide said that Obama announced the news to the rest of the lawmakers in the room who cheered in response.

"On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy," Obama said later in a statement. " As a champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us, he carries forth the message of love and compassion that has inspired the world for more than two thousand years—that in each other we see the face of God."

Obama also noted that Francis is the first pope from South America.

"As the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world, and alongside millions of Hispanic Americans, those of us in the United States share the joy of this historic day," Obama continued in the statement. 

"Just as I appreciated our work with Pope Benedict XVI, I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security and dignity for our fellow human beings, regardless of their faith. We join with people around the world in offering our prayers for the Holy Father as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church in our modern world."

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) wished the new pope congratulations.

"I'm happy that they were able to come to a choice as quickly as they did," Boehner said according to Buzzfeed. "I think that reaching out to beyond the traditional continent of our Church is another big step in the right direction for the Church."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made a similar statement.

"Catholics across Kentucky and the entire U.S. celebrate the election of Pope Francis I, and I join Americans of all faiths to congratulate him on becoming the spiritual leader of the world’s more than one billion Catholics," McConnell said.

Ahead of the selection, there was much speculation that an American might be chosen as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

In an interview with ABC News released earlier Wednesday, Obama dismissed the idea that a potential American pope would be closer to the White House.

"I don't know if you've checked lately, but the Conference of Catholic bishops here in the U.S. don't seem to be taking orders from me," Obama said.

Catholic bishops in the U.S. have been strong critics of the administration's birth control coverage mandate, which many critics charge infringes on religious liberty.

The American cardinals that were said to be in the running for the papacy included Timothy Dolan of New York, Sean O'Malley of Boston, and Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C.

"It seems to me that an American pope would preside just as effectively as a Polish pope or an Italian pope or a Guatemalan pope," Obama added during the ABC interview.

Benedict stepped down last month, the first pope to willingly resign in more than 600 years, citing health concerns and his age.

Benedict had visited the United States in 2008, meeting with then President George W. Bush at the White House and visiting Ground Zero in New York City. Obama met Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2009.

Eight years ago, President Bush sent his brother Jeb - then the governor of Florida - to lead the U.S. delegation to Benedict's inauguration, sparking rumors about the younger Bush brother's presidential ambitions. A congressional delegation of 21 House members - the largest ever - also attended, headed by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.).

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush led the delegation to John Paul II's funeral in 2005.

--Julian Pecquet contributed.

--This story was first published at 3:22 p.m. and last updated at 5:21 p.m.

View Comments

View the original article here