L'Italo-Americano

THURS DAY, ��� MARCH��� 21, ��� 2013��� L���Italo-Americano PAGE��� 15 Pope Francis ��� The 266th Pope of the Catholic Church. Continued from page 1 Pope watchers have also noted Francis is not wearing a new golden papal cross around his neck, keeping his simple, small silver one, and has eschewed the dainty red shoes the crowd that rapidly gathered to St Peter's Square cheering for the new head of the Catholic Church on Wednesday March 13. And the new Pope made it Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the 266th Pope sported by his predecessor Benedict XVI. Francis, who became the first non-European pope in 1,300 years after Benedict's shocking abdication last month, has said he chose his name to recall St Francis, the 13th-century former nobleman and founder of the Franciscan order who wore a simple cassock instead of the grand robes of other orders, living in poverty and tending to the poor. Francis���s personality and goals were already made evident by his words and shy smile showed when the just elected pontiff introduced himself to clear that he intends to protect the world's poor and weak again when he celebrated the inauguration mass of his papacy on Tuesday. "Only those who serve with love are able to protect!" Francis seemed to direct part of his homily towards the delegations of 132 governments present, when he called on the world's powerful to protect the environment and told them not to be afraid of goodness and tenderness. "Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill let us be "protectors" of creation, protectors of God's plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment," Francis said. "Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world. But to be 'protectors we also have to keep watch over ourselves. "Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives. With a beguiling grin and a visible eagerness to mix with the people, the Argentine pope's first week on the job has been described as a charm offensive, from blessing patients at a Rome hospital two days after his election, to embracing the faithful outside the Vatican on the morning of his first Angelus, all with a warmth and nonchalance that some have compared to the demeanor of the beloved Pope John XXIII. On Tuesday, as he rode through a square bedecked in flower arrangements and pontifical regalia, Francis stopped his driver several times, once to caress and kiss two children held out to him from the crowd. Breaking tradition, he also descended from the vehicle to bless a disabled person, similar to other episodes early in his pontificate that have made his security escort cringe. And Rome already loves its new Pope. A deeper look at the first Pope from the American continent Continued from page 1 Bergoglio has so far lived in a modest flat, is said to cook his own meals, and gave up a car and driver in favor of public transportation. Upon being named a cardinal in 2001, he encouraged people not to spend money to celebrate with him in Rome and instead to donate the funds to the poor. As a cardinal he has been known for personal humility and a commitment to social justice, while his approach tends to stress that proper interpretation and practice of the gospels will ultimately produce such things naturally. He is known to draw significant crowds in Argentina and is a key figure in the Church in South America. Despite his reputation for conservatism, he has not always approved of the rigidity of the Church on some issues such as sexuality, discouraging discrimination of gays and lesbians. His opposition to leftist Liberation Theology left him vulnerable to largely unfounded allegations of compli- Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the 266th Pope city with the dictatorial regime in the 1970s. During the Holy year of 2000, he publicly repented for the sins committed in his country during that period. Bergoglio is a professor of literature and psychology. Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, he studied and graduated in chemical engineering, but then chose the priesthood and entered the seminary in Villa Devoto. On March 11, 1958 he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. After studying humanities in Chile, he returned to Buenos Aires in 1963 and earned a degree in philosophy. He was ordained a priest in December 1969. In 1973 he was elected provincial of Argentina, a position he held for six years. He is the author of many books. John Paul II appointed him titular bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires in May 1992. On June 27 of the same year he was ordained a bishop in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires. Mar. 21, Thurs.-Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California General Meeting at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). 7:00pm Dinner ($15 pp), 8:00pm Meeting. Please RSVP by Monday before meeting to: Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764, Palmie Crispie (818) 246-5749 or annpotenza@aol.com. Mar. 22, Fri.- CRAB FEST at Casa Italiana. Dinner 6:30 pm; Reservations 323-225-8119, ext. 10 Mar. 22, Fri.-Cinema Italiano Classico. Movie: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966). Original title: Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo. Where: Fe Bland Theater ��� SBCC West Campus ���721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara CA. 7:30 pm: Doors open to general public at 7:15: Seating limited to 140 seats. FREE ADMISSION!!! For more information call (805) 9691018. Sponsored by the Italian Cultural Heritage Foundation of S.B. Mar. 23, Sat. - Italian Entry in the 55th Annual Swallow's Day Parade- This is the largest non-motorized parade in the country! Be a part of this exciting Italian entry. This is a family parade...the only requirement is that you come dressed in Italian colors or traditional Italian costumes. you are welcome to push strollers or pull wagons. They just must be decorated with Italian colors/flags. If you are a member of an Italian Club, you are welcome to carry your club banner or flag. Contact vcarabini@cox.net for more information. Mar. 24, Sun.-Patrons of Italian Culture in collaboration with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura celebrate ���2013-year of Italian Culture in the U.S.A.��� and Giuseppe Verdi���s 200th Birthday with a screening of ���La Traviata��� at the Italian Cultural institute (1023 Hilgard Ave., L.A.) starting at 2:30 pm (a patio reception to follow 5-6pm). Seating is limited so reserve early. PIC and IIC members: $20.00, non-members: $25.00. For reservations and information contact Jo Barbera (626) 584-1174. Mar. 24, Sun.- Opera: Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti. 2:00pm, Dearborn Auditorium (9240 Wish Ave Northridge CA, 91325), $25 per ticket, group of 10 or more $20. Contact: 818 554-1291, luciatickets.eventbrite.com Mar. 25, Mon.- ICF Branch #67 Dinner Meeting 6pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). $15.00 per person. For reservations contact: Nick M. D���Egidio (President) (562) 947-2819, Guy Masciotra (Life Member Emeritus, Past President) (818) 848-1862, or Pat Mages (Recording Secretary) (805) 492-9658. Mar. 28, Thurs.-Holy Thursday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass of the Last Supper 7:00 pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight. Mar. 28, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. The Garibaldina Society Women���s Extension cordially invites you to the Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. Cocktails 4pm, Dinner 5pm sharp!, Dancing 6-8pm. Pasta dinner includes Salad, Pasta, Sausage, Glass of Wine & Dessert. Dancing to the music of Dennis Le Pron & The Time Machine Band. Dress Casual. $10 Members- $12 Guests. For reservations: Jean Giacomelli (626) 281-6639. Mar. 29, Fri. -Good Friday , St. Peter's Italian Church. Way of the Cross 3:00 pm, Liturgical Services 7:00 pm and Adoration of the Cross. Mar. 29, Fri.-The Original Roadhouse Grill Fundraiser in honor of the Officers��� and in support of their families of Riverside Police Department Fallen Officer Michael Crain and Injured Officer Andrew Tachias. The Original Roadhouse Grill (3838 Tyler St., Riverside, CA), owned and operated by Larry and Ralph Cimmarusti, will be donating every dollar earned that day to the RPOA Assistance Fund. Donations will also be accepted. Buffet style lunch and dinner in tents in the parking lot. For more information (951) 784-1034. Mar. 30, Sat.-Holy Saturday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Confessions 10:00 am��� 12:00 pm. Liturgical Services 7:30 pm Mar. 31, Sun. - Easter Sunday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Masses: 9:30 am (English); 11:00 am (Italian); 6:00 pm (English). Apr. 1, Mon.-Fondazione Italia K-12 Language Grants Application Deadline. For information and application, please contact Hilary Stern at (310)739-9350 or by email at hstern@fondazione-italia.org. you may also contact th Education Office of the Italian Consulate General in San Francisco directly at (415) 292-9203 or ufficioscolastico.sanfrancisco@esteri.it

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