Pope Francis, A Moment of Hope for Women Priests in the Church

Pope Francis, a  76 year-old Jesuit from Argentina, became the first Latin American and first Jesuit to become Pope.

Wearing a simple cross, clad in the papal white, he walked into history and addressed the church as his sisters and brothers. He seemed so approachable, kind, and open. What really touched me the most was that he asked  the people to bless him. 
Silence filled the Square as the people embraced Pope Frances with their prayer. 
 It was a beautiful moment of warmth and joy!
 It was a moment of hope for the church!

He was archbishop of Buenos Aires until 2012. According to one
Argentine commentator, Pope Francis is a humble, charismatic man
who takes the bus to work and lives in an apartment. 
He  has addressed issues of social justice for the poor.
One of our Latin American priests said
that he is a man who lives Jesus' example of solidarity with the 
 the poor. She was moved to tears
when she first saw the new pope.

One Argentine commentator criticized him for his record on challenging the
government on violations of  human rights and 
his opposition to same sex marriage and abortion.

I pray that he will support full equality for women in the church including women priests.
But even if we disagree on this issue, I hope he will realize that the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement is a liberating movement for the full equality of women in an inclusive church where all are welcome to receive sacraments.

In this moment of hope, Pope Francis could be a breath of fresh air for the church in solidarity with the poor and for genuine reform and change in our church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp
www.arcwp.org