By Guillermo Trevino
The election of Pope Francis has brought much joy to the whole world. Now that the new Holy Father is Latino, Latinos throughout the Davenport Diocese commented on the joy that this momentous occasion brought to them.
Carlos Salaber, an immigrant from Argentina, formerly of St. Pius X Parish in Rock Island, Ill., and now retired in Naples, Fla., was truly surprised and happy when Pope Francis was elected, saying it was impossible but that anything is possible with the Lord. In Argentina, Salaber said the nickname for Francisco is “Paco” so the pope could be nicknamed “Papa Paco.” Salaber said he knew nothing about the pope until his election, but he was impressed that Pope Francis, as a cardinal of Buenos Aires, used to take public transportation to go to work. “First time I ever heard of a cardinal doing that. I also heard he lived in a humble, private residence and he avoided any of the frills and perks that came with his position,” Salaber said.
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