Pope Francis welcome in Malvinas, says priest

By David Andrew Hughes, Herald staff.

PUERTO ARGENTINO/ STANLEY - The head of the Catholic Church in the Malvinas Islands, Monsignor Michael McMarcam, told the Herald last night that he was delighted by the news of Pope Francis’ election.

“I am delighted first of all of having a new pope so quickly, and quite excited about the prospect of an Argentine cardinal becoming the new pope. I think it’s going create some very interesting reaction. But I’m sure the more we get to know who he is, and know a little bit more about him, we will get the same kind of rapport as we received from Pope Benedict,” McMarcam said. “He will be received as the pope, and will be listened as the pope, doesn’t matter where he comes from,” he said.

“He looked very serene and dignified. The Catholic congregation is very small in the island. But, how do the people will react to having a Argentine pope? It will take a bit of time, but he will be seen more as the pope rather than an Argentine,” McMarcam said.

“His first visit will be to Argentina, I would like to think perhaps he will be able to say some words to sooth the situation, a situation which is not real, is created by politics, that’s my view, and I don’t think I’m alone,” he added.