“Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam…”
As I watched the white smoke pour out of the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, my heart thrilled to be Catholic! As we waited in joyful anticipation to see our new Holy Father for the first time, my eyes filled with tears of joy to be a member of this one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church! And as I have gotten to know our sweet Christ on earth, Pope Francis, with all of you over the past few days, I am filled with love for this humble man who is already guiding his flock with watchful care.
The word Pope means “Father.” He is the direct successor to the apostle Peter, Bishop of Rome. As Christ’s Vicar (representative) he is the supreme pastor, priest and teacher of the Church. He is the source and guarantor of the Church’s unity. How blessed are we to have Jesus’ authority in the papacy through Apostolic Succession, the unbroken series of bishops since the apostles!
Each Pope chooses a new name upon his election. In my lifetime we have had Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and now Pope Francis. In 1978, Pope John Paul I combined the names of two previous popes into one as his name, the first of its kind. Before him, it had not been since the 12th century that a pope had chosen a name for the first time. And now we have Francis. The first Pope Francis! The choice of his name alone speaks volumes for the man, and has inspired Catholics around the world who know and love St. Francis of Assisi. Poverty, humility, simplicity and joy are words I think of when I hear of St. Francis, and how quickly I have come to associate them with our new Holy Father! I have heard it said that if a Franciscan had been elected, it would not have been adequately humble for him to choose the name Francis, the name of the founder of his order, but for a Jesuit it is most fitting and acceptable! By identifying himself with the poor man of Assisi, Pope Francis has shown the true heart of a servant, the “Servant of the Servants of God.”
St. Francis was known for his devotion to Christ Crucified, to the Cross, and we can see this same devotion reflected in Pope Francis in his words during the homily at the Mass Pro Ecclesia with the cardinal-electors on Thursday. He said, “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. 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. My hope for all of us is that the Holy Spirit, that the prayer of Our Lady, our Mother, might grant us this grace: to walk, to build, to profess Jesus Christ Crucified. So be it.”
And so, as we continue our Lenten journey, let us “walk,” “build” and “witness” to Christ Crucified, that we may share in the glory of His resurrection. Let us join our sweet Christ on earth in his mission to make known Christ Crucified. Let us pray for Pope Francis, that he may be strengthened in God’s love and bring us God’s blessings.
Written by Kristen
