The New "Bishop of Rome"

It seems that the new Pope is not aware of the fact that he is the Supreme Pontiff. In his opening words he referred to his position as Bishop of Rome eight times while never referring to the Papacy at all. He even calls Pope Benedict XVI "our Bishop Emeritus." Thank God the casual remarks and theological and doctrinal ideas of Popes are not infallible. He has the typical confused identity of the 70's seminary formation,  seeming embarrassed and apologetic in giving the blessing (Urbi et Orbi) having to first get the "blessing of the people" before he can bless them. Does he also believe, as many confused priests believe, that the priesthood and the episcopacy (and the papacy, if he believes in it at all) come from the people?  Very confusing from a doctrinal standpoint! I guess he needed to be that way in order to be able to survive being the Jesuit superior of Argentina at the height of the Liberation Theology movement.

One thing no one has mentioned is the distinct probability that he shall be a "transitional" Pope.  He is, after all, not young.

To me, his major saving grace is that he is Latin American. Hopefully under his charge the Church in the United States will begin to have a hierarchy (bishops, and especially ordinaries) more representative of it's majority Hispanic population. So we have a Pope from Latin America in a Church which is a majority Spanish speaking (including far more than 50% of the United States' Catholics). Now we need our U.S. dioceses to reflect the same reality.

By the way, which "Francis", Xavier (the Jesuit) or Assisi (the Fransicscan)?  If it is Assisi he is the one who was called on by the Lord to rebuild the Church and to convert the Saracen! in addition to loving the poor.