Pope sets standards, Villegas new CBCP president

Known for his simple lifestyle, Pope Francis hits priests and nuns seeking luxurious lives, renewing a call for a modest lifestyle. In a Vatican event Saturday, Francis tells seminarians and novices, “It hurts my heart when I see a priest or a nun with the latest model of cars.” He adds, “Cars are necessary. But take a more humble one. Think of how many children die of hunger and dedicate the savings to them.” Since his election in March, Francis’ modest lifestyle — beginning with his decision to live in the Vatican guesthouse instead of the papal residence — has surprised the world. Meanwhile in the Philippines, the bishops’ collegial body names a protégé of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin as its new president. Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan will succeed Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma as head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. He assumes his new post on December 1, 2013.

Read full story here and here