Church praying for new archbishops, Pope affirms

Last updated on: June 29, 2013 at 8:08 pm by CNA Daily News

Church praying for new archbishops, Pope affirms 2013-06-29T20:08:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jun 29, 2013 / 02:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said the Church is praying for the dozens of new archbishops whom he greeted and gave wool vestments symbolizing fidelity to during in a Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica.

“We pray for the metropolitan archbishops of different Churches of the world to which a little while ago I delivered the pallium, the symbol of communion,” Pope Francis said June 29.

“I pray for all of their communities, I particularly encourage the people of central Africa, who have been tested harshly, to walk with faith and hope,” he told pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's Square.

The Pope prayed the Angelus from the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace after he celebrated Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica marking the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

During the Mass, he gave 34 world archbishops their pallium – a white wool vestment, emblazoned with six black silk crosses. Dating back to at least the fifth century, the wearing of the pallium by metropolitan archbishops symbolizes authority as well as unity with the Holy See.

Of the 34 recipients of the pallium, four were Americans: Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco; Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis; Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland; and Archbishop Michael O. Jackels of Dubuque, Iowa.

In his remarks given from the Apostolic Palace, the Pope said that June 29 is not only a special feast for Rome that marks the martyrdom of the two apostles, but is also “a big feast for the universal Church because the whole people of God is indebted to them for the gift of faith.”

“Peter was the first to confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,” and “Paul spread this proclamation in the Greek-Roman world,” he explained. “And providence wanted that both come to Rome and pay their faith with blood.”

The pontiff noted said that for this reason the Church of Rome has become “spontaneously, the reference point for all the churches around the world.”

“Not for the power of the empire, but for the strength of martyrdom, the testimony of Christ!” he said. “Think of Peter, when he confessed his faith in Jesus, it was not through his human power.”

The pontiff added that St. Peter's human power had been “conquered” by the grace of Jesus, and through “the love he felt in his words and saw in his gestures.”

The Pope noted that something similar happened to St. Paul, but in a different way and that it was an experience of the mercy and forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ.

“Paul as a young man was an enemy of the Christians, and when the risen Christ called him on the Damascus road, his life was transformed.”

“He realized that Jesus was not dead, but alive, and he also loved him, who was his enemy!”

Pope Francis told pilgrims it is a joy to believe in a God who is all love and all grace. “We praise the Lord for these two glorious witnesses, and how they let us be conquered by Christ,” he added.

The Pope also recalled St. Peter's brother, St. Andrew, noting that he likes to remember him on this feast day. “Let us not forget that Peter had a brother, Andrew, who met Jesus first, spoke of him to Peter and took Peter to meet him.”

He then greeted the delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, led by Metropolitan Ioannis Zizoulas from Greece, who is regarded as the successor of St. Andrew.

“Happy feast to all!” Pope Francis concluded.

Vatican

Previous Post

June 29, 2013

Pope Francis greets, bestows pallium on 34 new archbishops

Next Post

June 29, 2013 Navy chaplain honored in Vietnam despite Communist objections

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called ____ of God.

Select your answer to see how you score.

Servants Disciples Children Friends