Rome, Italy, Mar 18, 2013 / 15:02 pm
The retired cardinal of Parana, Argentina, described his friend Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio – now Pope Francis – as an able pastor with the heart of a missionary.
In an interview with CNA, Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic said it was a "huge surprise" to see his friend appear on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica dressed in white.
"The Lord loves us so much, he gave us this immense gift."
"I pray to God that I will not forget that moment so that I can thank him and so that I can pray for our beloved brother Jorge whom we will now call Francis," the cardinal said.