People reacted to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in February with shock and disbelief.
Our esteem grew deeper and stronger as we understood his humility and courage when he said, “I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my Ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. With regard to myself, I wish to serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”
He made it known that he was not strong enough to continue the challenge of leading the Church. He wanted to ensure that the leadership passed on to another and the legacy continued.
His final words to the Cardinals were, “May the College of Cardinals work like an orchestra, where diversity (an expression of the Universal Church) always works toward a higher and harmonious agreement. Among you is also the future Pope, to whom I promise my unconditional reverence and obedience.”
Pope Francis
The election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose ‘Pope Francis‘ as his official name, came with a series of ‘Firsts.’
He is the first Pope from the Western Hemisphere.
He is the first Non-European to be elected in 1300 years.
He is the first Jesuit Pope to be elected.
He is the first Pope to be called Francis.
He was the first Pope who bowed before the people and asked them to pray for him.
He said, “Now, I would like to give my blessing. But first, I will ask for a favour. Before the Bishop blesses his people, he asks that you pray to the Lord to bless me, the prayer of the people for the blessing of their Bishop. Let us pray for me in silence.”
I could not believe my ears as I watched his address on television in Auckland.
This was unusual. Traditionally, the new Pope blesses people. But here was a Pontiff who bowed to the people and asked them to pray for him. This was a great sign that God will work mightily through him.
Serving the Poor
He took the name of Francis, after St Francis of Assisi, who loved the poor.
In a recent message, he said, “Francis of Assisi tells us that we should work to build peace. But there is no peace without truth! There cannot be true peace if everyone is his own criterion, if everyone can always claim exclusively his own rights without at the same time caring for the good of others, of everyone, on the basis of the nature that unites every human being on this earth.”
“It is not possible to build bridges between people while forgetting God. But the converse is also true: It is not possible to establish true links with God while ignoring other people,” he added.
We have two Popes on planet earth – one praying in seclusion and the other seeking the prayers of the People and working actively to build bridges between people for Peace and Truth.
Wenceslaus Anthony is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, Chairperson of the Divine Retreat Centre Movement in New Zealand and Advisor to the Vailankanni Committee to celebrate the feast of the Birthday of Mother Mary, Director of Conquest Club and Chairman of the Mother Teresa Interfaith Committee. He lives in Auckland.
