Croatian Priest In Argentina: Croatia Has Got A New Friend In Pope Francis

“We have got a new Pope, and the Croatian people have got a new friend,” that is what Father Josip Peranic told dnevnik.hr after Argentinian Jorge Bergoglio was last night elected Pope, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium.

Father Peranic personally knows the new Pope, who chose the name Francis, after spending 29 years on a Croatian mission in Buenos Aires.

“There is general joy all over Argentina, the people can not believe it. Argentines are proud that the Pope is coming out of their country, but they are proud of this because it’s a Pope who will be able to lead the Church,” said Peranic.

“His humility won over Buenos Aires, and how he led the church in Buenos Aires he will lead the church in the world. His sermons are very short, but concise. When he came to our parish he spoke simple and short, but he was always accessible to the people,” said Peranic, confirming reports that Bergoglio always came by bus or train to work despite having transport secured.