The New Pope

On February 28, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation as the pope. Popes are elected by the College of Cardinals meeting in Conclave when the Apostolic seat falls vacant. On the Tuesday of March 12,2013, the Cardinals started their process of electing the new pope of the Vatican Church. The new pope was announced on March 13,2013,  his name is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who takes the name of Pope Francis. He is the age of 76, is from Argentina. He is the 266th successor of St. Peter. Also, who his now the new leader of the Catholic Church consisting of 1.2 billion Catholics.

In my opinion the election of a new pope is a very big deal in the whole world. For the pope consisting of 1.2 billion Catholics all around the world seems like a very stressful job. Being in control of all of the catholics in the whole world seems like a huge job to be able to do. Since the last pope ( Pope Benedict XVI) was 85 years old, and now the new pope (Pope Francis)  is 76 years old. But in the other side of it, the pope has to be older because the pope has to have a lot of wisdom, and has to have a lot of knowledge. Lastly, if they picked a pope that his 20 years old or even 50 that means that they would have a pope for 60 or 40 years, and that’s a long time for a pope to be in charge of all of the catholics. I think that they should have agreed on a younger pope, who doesn’t retire faster, and who may not have as many health problems as the older cardinals do. Also, being the first Argentinian pope, and the first non european pope is a huge accomplishment for the  pope. Those are my opinions on the new pope.

~Taylor Sarojak

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and Muslims are required to fast during this month which helps us to cleanse our bodies and to be closer to the religion of Islam.  The fast is to stay away from food, drink, and relations from dawn until sunset, but Muslims are also encouraged to increase in their worship in general and also the recital of the Holy Qur’an.  In according to the practice of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) charity is also encouraged in this month and many choose this time of the year to fulfill the requirement of Zakaat.

~Uzair Afzal