Habemus Papam!  WE HAVE A POPE!

Why does that mean so much to me?  Obvious answer is because I’m Catholic.  But what became clear to me over these past few weeks when Pope Benedict XVI made the bold and brave move to step down was that the world realized how much they need direction.  And I say ‘world’ because it wasn’t just EWTN highlighting the resignation of Pope Benedict and then following closely to who the new successor would be. 

I received most of my information from news stations that the anchors were clearly not Catholic (because those that were said so…or as one stated, “In my early years I was Catholic so this question is by a not as informed lay person.”) and yet they covered the event so fervently you could tell there was a sense of hope in them all for any direction.  That maybe with this sudden turn of events a bleak outlook that some might have will become brighter.

As I waited for the announcement to be made of who the Pope was and to hear his chosen name I thought about this man who had been chosen by his colleagues who are all just as qualified as he.  I thought about what could be going through his mind at that very moment and how quickly life can change.  One day he is the shepherd of an Archdiocese and now he is the Bishop of Rome and shepherd of millions.  

I pictured this unknown man of an unknown age with his head in his hands in prayer.  The humility that rushed through him and the responsibility that rest on his shoulders.  This brought me to tears.  I was in the middle of unpacking some things in my bathroom and I had to stop and sit on the edge of my tub because I was so overcome with emotion.  I wept for this new Pope.  I prayed God would give him the courage and strength he needs to be true to the simplicity of the Gospel – to love first.

Then I heard the announcers change tune in the other room so I ran in just in time to watch as they announced Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope Francis I.  I had never heard of him before.  Two seconds later I heard that he was a Jesuit priest and chose the namesake of a saint (St. Francis of Assisi) that did away with everything he owned to love and take care of those in need.

Perfect. 😉  And with great humility he asked us to pray for him before giving the usual Papal blessing.  And he stated “Let’s pray for the whole world that there be a brotherhood.”  Amen.

Already words to live by.

Blessings

Shannon