When Pope Francis appeared before the vast, cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square, and a television and Internet audience watching from around the world, his presence marked the joyful culmination of an anxious pilgrimage for Catholics eager for a Vicar of Christ.
For many weeks, Masses were celebrated and Rosaries prayed, imploring God for a new shepherd after Benedict’s resignation.
As he looked out into the crowd, Pope Francis seemed to understand that our fears would be quieted by his presence. The humble Church leader from Argentina would be the “rock” for the faithful across the world.
“As you know, cardinals were picking a bishop for Rome. It seems like my brother cardinals have picked him from the end of the world, but here we are,” the Holy Father joked.
Thus began a new pontificate with too many “firsts” to recite again. But amid the glare of television cameras, that first encounter between the new Vicar of Christ and the faithful affirmed our deep desire for a spiritual father who will love us and lead us, helping this flock embrace the charity and truth of Christ and bring those gifts to the world.
“Let’s start this path of brotherhood, love and faith among us. Let’s always pray for each other and for the whole world, for it to have a great brotherhood,” he told us that night. “I wish that this path of the Church may be fruitful for evangelization. Before the blessing, I ask you a favor: Pray to God to pray for me.”
The striking request that the faithful pray for him was followed by a series of actions that suggested this Pope would likely retain a distinctive humility, visible in his public conduct.
After the festivities, he joined the cardinals for a bus ride to pick up his luggage. The following day, he traveled to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, praying before an image of the Virgin Mary, and the Vatican confirmed that he chose not to replace his metal cross with a gold one.
During Mass with the cardinals, he spoke of the urgent need for evangelization: “We can walk and build all we want, but if we don’t confess our faith, we will become a compassionate NGO [non-governmental organization] and not the Church of the Father,” he said. “When we don’t walk, we are still, and when we don’t build, all comes down,” he added. “It is not always easy.”
Francis told them that an authentic witness to Jesus Christ yields “shake-ups,” even martyrdom. Yet the shepherds of the Church cannot retreat from the suffering that accompanies the confession of faith.
“When we walk without the cross, when we build without the cross, and when we profess Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly; we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord,” he said.
“I would like that all of us, after these days of grace, might have the courage — the courage — to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the cross of the Lord: to build the Church on the blood of the Lord, which is shed on the cross, and to profess the one glory, Christ crucified. In this way, the Church will go forward.”
Elsewhere in these pages, a brother Jesuit, Father Joseph Fessio, suggested that Pope Francis would not be a “professor pope.”
We will have further glimpses of his direction in the months ahead. But the words and actions that followed his election suggest that he will teach the faith in fresh and surprising ways, drawing the attention of Catholics and people of good will.
This new beginning offers great promise. Blessed John Paul II sought to bring the New Evangelization to the center of the Church, and Benedict XVI, with his simple yet profound teachings, reinvigorated the Church’s catechesis. Yet many Catholics are only beginning to grasp what it means to make Christ the center of our lives, to realize that an ancient faith can be reborn in our hearts with all the vitality of the “new.”
Now, Francis asks us to cast aside the false choices proffered by a world that fears the demands of a friendship with Christ and thus tries to break off pieces of the faith — an embrace of “social justice” for those in need, perhaps, while dismissing truths that demand too much personal sacrifice.
Some will express bemusement that a man of palpable love for the poor is also a great defender of the sanctity of life and marriage. Others will complain that the new Pope should occupy himself with cleaning up the Roman Curia and leave moral decisions to the individual believer and his or her conscience.
After the election, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York was asked by television host Charlie Rose if the new Pope would embrace “reform.”
Cardinal Dolan turned the question on its head and affirmed that, as the Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis would certainly call on Catholics to “reform your lives.”
Cardinal Dolan, during that interview, managed to convey the mysterious and abiding love that Catholics have for the Holy Father and the deep joy they felt as Francis took the helm of the barque of Peter.
Even when he admonishes his flock to give up old ways, we experience the love of the Bridegroom for his Bride. The election of Francis, said Cardinal Dolan, tells us that “Jesus continues to take care of his Church — he sent us another good shepherd.”
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I am starting to think that future generations might see our time as one of those hinges on which history turns, for the Church and perhaps for the Western world. That the secular media began so quickly to attack Francis, and with such a risible accusation, shows their fear of what he might accomplish. Pope Francis is dangerous because he cannot be dismissed with one of the usual stereotypes. Even the liberal-conservative paradigm, oversimplified as it is, can’t pigeonhole him. He destroys a secularist canard by maintaining a profound and unfeigned humility while making no bones about the fact that there truly is a God who has truly spoken to the human race.
A Pope and a Church that show the love of God in tangible ways while maintaining a non-negotiable faith that motivates and gives form to the expression of that love might just be seen as an attractive alternative to the prevailing jaded, materialistic individualism—not by a few but by many. This could be really big.
Amazing to ponder amid the 21st century world of electronic media, instantaneous information sharing, and digital avatars that Mark 6:33-34 still applies to our common human experience as the Vatican gatherings demonstrate:
“The people saw Jesus and His followers going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.”
Thank you for your editorial on Pope Francis. Through you I am learning that our new Vicar of Christ is a man of deep convictions and everlasting love.
The humility of our dear new Holy Father shines through his simplicity.
However, we must never forget that he is firstly the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church-The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, who also happens to be the bishop of Rome.
We pray that God give our dear Holy Father Francis the courage and strength to uphold and teach us the unchangeable Catholic Faith, Morals and Tradition as passed down by Peter and his predecessors.
May God give Our Holy Father Francis the zeal, courage and a fearless heart like St. Francis who led his brothers to proclaim the Truth that Jesus is God our Redeemer, in the evangelization of all people created in the image of God.
we are blessed with having Pope Francis as our new pope, the holy spirit sure did answer my prayers. Elected on the 13th and add up 256 and you get 13 again,(wow)thank you GOD
As an ordained permanent deacon, I am most pleased that the new pope took the name of an ordained permanent deacon—St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis did not want to be elevated to the priesthood, but wanted to be able to read the Gospel at Mass. So he allowed himself to be ordained to the diaconate. Unfortunately few people realize St. Francis was a deacon.
As a convert to the Catholic faith I welcome the holy father for fulfilling all my hopes for ur church and our Catholic faith.Pray to God he has given us a strong leader!!
after watching him for the last 4 days he is the most humble, gentle and FRIENDLY POPE I’ve seen early on. (* I wasn’t much into Pope watching back in those days but I’ve seen what filmed history there is of Popes and he by far…..is shocking in his demeanor.I really like what I see so far..seems to be sincerly genuine. The folks in Rome have picked up on it too. Not just Spanish speaking Catholics. Italians seem so happy.Pope BenedictXVI..I had to warm up to him.. He had some big shoes to follow after watching Pope John Paul II who I thought was a Saint. Pope Benedict XVI had what I’ll term as ...GOOD POPE GAME! He was alright too.I can understand now why (off the record as they are not allowed to talk about conclave issues)) a source claimed he was the 2nd choice to succeed Pope John Paul II 8 years ago.
The last 35 years we’ve had what some historians are saying was the greatest Theologian ( John Paul II ) and greatest writer (Ratzinger) in Papal history. IF true that’s 35 years of Super Bowl Popes….. :)
So much of that is overlooked by the masses in the wake of the scandal ( which mostly was before their terms) but errupted on their watches.
Pope Francis has been a sight to see these last few days!!......Just watched a rerun of his Mass this morning and everyone seems so charged up over this guy…The Nuns, parishoners in the Church today and his touching interactions with all the little children.
Reporter commented this Pope is going to be a nightmare for those who handle security as this Pope is really a people’s Pope.
Let’s hope he can have a good run of health and see were this is headed.
I have been hearing that a white dove sat on the chimney…For the Record, it was not a dove but a sea gull that sat aloft the chimney of the Sistine chapel.
I also remembered what St. Paul tells us: “…Brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.”
And could not help recalling the Gospel of the woman with the alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard, she poured it out upon His head. Then Judas Iscariot, who was about to betray him, said: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? But Jesus said: Let her alone…For the poor you have always with you…whenever you will you may do them good…
Don’t get me wrong, I have already written a comment offering my prayers and expressing my deep affection for our new Holy Father.
However, I am baffled that all of a sudden we have an unknown man who is elected as our Holy Father and the whole world suddenly knows everything about him: great, noble, saintly, humble, brilliant, intelligent, simple, genius can do no wrong, never did any wrong. GOD!
In his love for those who are poor in material wealth, I hope Pope Francis will not forget and ignore those who are rich in material wealth but destitute spiritually AND ARE WORSE OFF THAN THE POOR, especially those in Europe and in our part of the world the USA and Canada.
Like St. Francis who confronted the heathens, I hope he proclaims to the whole world, Christ- Who is The Only Way and The Only Truth.
As a friend of Muslims, hopefully he stops them murdering hundreds and thousands of “THE POOR” and displaced Christians around the world, even as I write this.
All those who admire Our Holy Father’s love for the poor and his simplicity of life and living; especially the Cardinals and bishops in Canada, the USA and Europe should sell their residences, give up their fancy cars and, travel by public transit, cook their own meals, clean their own apartments and live simple and prayerful lives among the poor like the Holy Father who will become the future Saint Pope Francis the GREAT.
Did Pelosi & Biden present themselves to receive Communion ? If they did so, was it given to them ? Until these & other heretics are made examples of the Scandal & Sacrilege will continue ! How can we trust & believe in anyone who does NOT enforce the Canons ? Enough of the long winded opinions & promising commentary, lets see strong leadership & action instead of weakness & adjectives !
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