Roman Catholic cardinals have their new pope...

Pope Francis on sodomite marriage:

"Let’s not be naïve, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God."

I think a Presbyterian can live with that thought. 

Interesting in light of the other thread, "These are not normal men..."

"...donning the simple white cassock but declining to wear the ermine-trimmed red cape known as the mozzetta, which was left hanging on the wardrobe in the Room of Tears.

To Vatican officials who offered him an elaborate gold pectoral cross to wear around the neck, he said he’d prefer to keep his very simple cross that he’s worn as a bishop. He accepted the congratulations of cardinals not seated on a traditional throne-like chair, but standing up and greeting them one by one."

http://www.johnthavis.com/pope-francis-first-24-hours-doing-it-his-way

Regarding Pope Francis, Tim wrote:

>>And I like what I'm reading about him.

Me, too. I'm also praying that his ministry to the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics will be fruitful. And it wouldn't surprise me if there are things that he can teach other Christians as well.

Another straw in the papal wind, this time reported originally by a nun who blogs in connection with the US Catholic Bishop's Conference:

"Instructions for what to wear for upcoming meetings suggest that  the simple style he [i.e. Francis] is known for continues. Today, the cardinals were advised to wear the  black house cassock rather than the more formal red choir robes with white surplice."

It's the latter vestments which have been the subject of comment and can be seen in the photographs on this blog lately. Then there was this on another blog:

And lastly, to use one of Fr Tom Rosica's legion of money-quotes over the course of this transition, "there is the all-important matter of the shoes." 

Indeed, it's already been remarked upon that PF, or F1 – we haven't figured out the shorthand just yet – has not taken up the red or brown kicks of his post-Conciliar predecessors, which were ready in a variety of sizes in the "Room of Tears," but kept to a black set.

Then again, shirking the trappings has seemed to become an early leitmotif of this reign. Beyond turning down the Mercedes, the motorcade and the ermine mozzetta to appear in the simple white house cassock, the new Pope likewise declined to use one of the bejeweled pectoral crosses from the Papal Sacristy that were set out for whoever emerged from the Conclave, choosing to retain the simple silver cross he wore into his election, and his usual, unadorned silver ring with it. (At yesterday's Mass, Francis likewise opted against a miter from the Vatican collection in favor of his preferred one from home – a minimalist headpiece, and notably one trimmed and lined in brown: the traditional color associated with the Franciscans.)

Back to the shoes, though, there's apparently a story to them – Vatican Radio reported that the then-cardinal's friends, seeing that the pair he was wearing "were not in very good shape," bought him a new pair as he prepared to leave for the Conclave. 

So it seems, the barely month-old gift's still being put to good use... just now, in the sight of the world.

As before, these are only straws. But, they're blowing in the same direction, which is going to make things interesting.