I remember Pope John 23 and how human and caring he came across as... and how he shocked the world by selling off some of the papal wealth... and reached out to other faiths.

If Francis can help women and the poor achieve some measure of social justice, I'm all for it. I'm not a Christian... but the "teachings of Christ" that I've read promote tolerance, charity and empathy, which are ideals that I value.

Here's hoping the new pontiff can leave the world a better place.