Latino Catholics on new pope: ‘It’s an honor for us’

LYNN – Latino Catholics in Lynn praised the election of the world’s first Hispanic pope on Wednesday, but many were quick to add that the Argentinian pope’s connection to God matters more than his ethnicity.”It’s an honor for us,” said Amarilis Gutierrez as news spread to Sisters of St. Joseph’s Convent on Green Street. “It’s big news. Wow. Indescribable, wonderful – all those adjectives that I can say. It’s a blessing from God.”See also:Lynners say humility, tough job ahead for Francis IGutierrez said she believes God spoke to the Cardinals who huddled at The Vatican for two days and emerged Wednesday with the historic decision. As such, she said she would have embraced any pope as God’s will.But she added the divine decision has positive implications for the world’s Latino faithful.”It’s a gift for us, particularly for Hispanics, because he is our representative from the West,” she said.The newly appointed Pope Francis is not only the first Latin-American pope, a region that is home to 40 percent of the world’s Catholics, but he’s also the first pope from the Western hemisphere. Before Wednesday, he was known as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, a 76-year-old archbishop from Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires.Pope Francis’ election gives Latinos a moral boost to truly believe they are a major global factor, said Bernardo Colon, a cashier at Jimenez Market on Union Street.”He gives us the moral support that we need,” he said.Back at St. Joseph’s Convent, Sister Belinda Sanchez said the new pope is an answer to her prayers – but not because he’s Latino.”I think God listened to all the prayers of us faithful, of all the churches in the world,” she said.Pedro Calderon, who headed to the convent to pray before 6 p.m. Mass Wednesday, went so far as to say he doesn’t care if the pope is Latino or another ethnicity.”People are proud, but it really doesn’t matter where he’s from,” he said.A still-elated Gutierrez agreed that for Catholics, religion is a stronger bond than homeland.”We are faithful Catholics; we are chosen from every corner of the world. Race and color don’t matter,” she said.Amber Parcher can be reached at [email protected].