Okanagan bishop has met new pope

On Wednesday, Catholics elected a new pope, a man the top ranking Catholic cleric in the Okanagan has met.

Bishop John Corriveau of the Archdiocese of Nelson has first-hand knowledge of the church’s new leader.

Corriveau, who is based in Kelowna, was delighted to learn Cardinal Bregolio of Argentina will now be known as Pope Francis the First.

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Corriveau says the new pope is highly trained and has a lot of experience working with common people. He also knows the pontiff slightly.

“I met him in Argentina,” said Corriveau. “I also know him by reputation in Argentina and he is well revered by the people of Buenos Aries.”

The Bishop also says he wasn’t surprised the cardinals chose someone from South America instead of one of the better known candidates from Europe or North America.

“Our church is a world community,” said Corriveau.