大象传媒

Good morning!

For much of the earlier part of the week, I was glued, as much as possible, to the news as I and Catholics across the world waited to see if a new Pope was elected. In modern times the period of Sede Vacante, the Vacant See, is thankfully a very short period of time but many people were still surprised that the successor to Pope Benedict was elected on the second day of the Conclave. They were surprised too at his identity for Cardinal听 Jorge Maria Bergoglio was not considered a major candidate. But now we rejoice at the election of the new Holy Father and Pope Francis will formally begin his ministry as the successor of Saint Peter on Tuesday. He leaves behind his relative obscurity in Argentina and, like the Queen and the President of the United States, will be a central figure on the world stage. For someone who has not been born for it nor sought the position on a campaign trail and, until a few days ago, was one of many, it is surely a daunting prospect as he begins. It is therefore no coincidence I think that the room off the Sistine Chapel where the new Pope changed into the Papal robes is called 鈥淭he Room of Tears鈥�. Today I think particularly of the film 鈥淭he Shoes of the Fisherman鈥� where one Cardinal says to the new Pope, 鈥淭his is Calvary, Holy Father, and you have just begun to climb鈥�. The new Holy Father has just begun his climb and so...

听

God in Heaven, bestow your grace and blessing on Pope Francis as he begins his ministry; may he be a wise, loving and courageous shepherd of his flock. Amen.