On this 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election as our Holy Father and successor to St. Peter, we remember his openness to God’s plan. Though he had other ideas for his future, God called him to shepherd our Church as Vicar of Christ and Pope Francis humbly answered this call.
Pope Francis often says that if we want to attract others to Jesus, we must share the joy of the Gospel with them. From his introduction as pope on the balcony in St. Peter’s Square, our Holy Father has modeled that joy which leads us to share the love of the Gospel.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has defended the sacredness of human life and has spoken out against the evil of abortion and our ‘throwaway culture.’ “The life that we are called to promote and defend is not an abstract concept, but rather it is always manifested in a person in flesh and blood,” the Pope tells us. This is apparent in the child in the womb, the vulnerable and the elderly, each a sacred, unrepeatable child of God.
His encyclicals “Lumen fidei” and “Fratelli tutti” have celebrated our Christian faith. They remind us that we must share the light of Christ with all, especially the poor, the needy and those living on the margins; for all men and women throughout the world are our brothers and sisters. He also urges us to care for all of God’s creation, including our common home, in his encyclical “Laudato si’. ”
I ask all the faithful of the Diocese to join me in praying for Pope Francis, especially on the 10th anniversary of his pontificate. May God bless him abundantly and may Mary, our Mother, keep him in her tender care.
