Beloved Family:
“I do not know if I will be there for the next WYD, but Peter will surely be there to confirm you in faith.” These words were spoken by Pope Francis, back in 2019 [Pope's speech to WYD volunteers: World Youth Day, Panama, 2019]. Now in fact, Pope Francis did attend the next World Youth Day (2023, Lisbon, Portugal). Nevertheless, I believe his statement offers us all, as Catholics, an important perspective on how we are called to understand the office of the Papacy.
Here is an extended citation:
Let us ask the Lord for his blessing. May he bless your families and communities, and all those whom you will meet and encounter in the days to come. Let us also place ourselves under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin. May Our Lady accompany you always. And, as I told you in Krakow, I do not know if I will be there for the next WYD, but Peter will surely be there to confirm you in faith. Press on, with courage and strength, and please, do not forget to pray for me. Thank you.
On the one hand, it makes complete sense that the various occupants of the Chair of St. Peter would appeal to different sensibilities within us. We may feel “close” to a particular pope, because we resonate readily with the themes that seem to predominate his preaching, teaching and public witness. Indisputably, Pope Francis’ emphasis on the mercy of God has had a deep impact on many hearts. That certainly stands out, for me. As he wrote in his last encyclical, Dilexit nos (On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ):
Dilexit nos, no. 51
It would be difficult, to say the least, not to notice a clear simplicity of life that Pope Francis has incorporated rather intentionally within his occupancy of the Chair of Peter. There is undoubtedly, a yearning within our hearts for such simplicity, despite the constant seductive call within the culture for “more and more of…whatever.” We can be very grateful for the expressions of sympathy I imagine many of us have received in these days. On my short walk over the Drugmart on Monday, two people stopped me and shared words of consolation.
All that said, I want to return to Pope Francis’ owns words…”Peter will surely be there to confirm your faith.” There is a fundamental reason why ecclesiastical figures do not “campaign” to become pope. Even as we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, we are not left without leadership. Christ is at the helm, and we believe that He, Himself, has provided continuity within the line of apostolic succession. All popes share with us, the basic limitations of humanity. From his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter, in 2013, he asked for our prayers. Let us, therefore, continually commend him to the heart of Christ. Let us find, in his parting words on the first evening of his papacy, an anchor of hope that all separations from loved ones, at the time of earthly death, are not final, because we place our full hope in the promise of the Resurrection.
“Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with you again soon… We will see one another soon.”
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
