A letter sent to Pope Francis on behalf of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) offers congratulations and praises the pope’s commitment to social justice issues.
“We are touched by your humility,” says the letter signed by WCRC’s general secretary, Setri Nyomi. “The name you have chosen is a sign for us that attention to the plight of the poor and justice for all people will be important for you.”
The letter was issued following the announcement yesterday evening that the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (76) has been elevated to pope by the conclave of cardinals meeting in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas.
“Our world today is in critical need of credible leadership which will challenge the forces of death as seen in injustice in the global economy, human disregard for the environment, militarism and violence,” Nyomi writes. “We hope as the pope you will model leadership that will contribute to transformation of the world.”