On March 13, 2013, an unfamiliar man dressed in a simple white cassock stepped out onto the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and said: “You know that the conclave had to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to find one. But here we are.” With these words, Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio of Argentina introduced himself to the world as Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Holy Father is the first pope from beyond Europe since the eighth century. He is the first pope from the southern hemisphere and the first pope from the Americas. He is the first pope to belong to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and the first pope to take the name Francis. Like his namesake, the pope shuns riches and luxury. As an archbishop, he cooked for himself and lived in a downtown apartment that was heated by a small stove. He refused a car and driver and took public transportation to be closer with the people he was called to serve.

Pope Francis refuses to live in the Apostolic Palace. Instead, he lives in community at Casa Santa Marta, a guest house located along the southern wall of Vatican City. His modest suite consists of a bedroom, bathroom, and sitting room. The modest decorations include a crucifix, a statue of Our Lady of Lujan, Patroness of Argentina, and a statue of Saint Joseph at Rest, beneath which he places prayer requests from around the world. The pope eats in the communal dining room with visiting priests, pilgrims, and scholars. And he celebrates Mass every morning in the guest house chapel. He says: “I cannot live alone. I must live my life with others.”

The Holy Father has made thirty-six pastoral visits within Italy and sixty-two Apostolic Journeys beyond its borders. In 2015, Pope Francis presided over the largest papal event in history by celebrating Mass in Manila, Philippines for more than six million people. In 2019, he became the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula, where he dedicated the new Church of Saint Francis in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He also joined Muslim leaders in writing the groundbreaking Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace & Living Together. And in 2021, he became the first pope ever to visit Iraq.

Pope Francis has published three encyclicals: Lumen Fidei (2013), Laudato Si (2015), and Fratelli Tutti (2020). The first one was written with Pope Benedict XVI. Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi but written by Pope Francis himself, Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti call us to take better care of the environment, our common home; and to take better care of each other in a spirit of social friendship and universal fraternity. His apostolic exhortations, which are letters to the faithful on the pastoral mission and ministry of the Church, focus on living and sharing the Good News of Jesus in ways that reach out to people who have left the faith or feel left behind by the rest of us.

Pope Francis advocates persistently for peace and for the poor. He beckons us to the truth and begs us to proclaim it with love, empathy, and hospitality. He calls us to live the gospel with joy and humility, not judgment and triumphalism. He exhorts us to practice mercy and seek reconciliation in our families and communities. And he reminds us again and again that God’s style is closeness, compassion, and tenderness. The pope says: “Let us set out each day praying for each other, working together as witnesses of peace, by persevering in the same journey by our practical acts of charity and unity. In all things, let us love one another from the heart (2-4-23).” As Pope Francis celebrates his 10th anniversary, we pray for him with love and gratitude in our hearts; and we cry out: Lead the way, Holy Father! Amen! Amen!

Revered James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (3-12-23)
Bringing Home the Word (3-12-23)
The Kids Bulletin (3-12-23)

Vatican News Service
Watch: Pope of Gestures (4 Minutes)
Lumen Fidei – Light of Faith (2013)
Laudato Si – On Care for Our Common Home (2015)
Document on Human Fraternity (2019)
Fratelli Tutti – On Fraternity & Social Friendship (2020)
The Pope Video (March 2023)

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Call to Prayer
A Prayer for Pope Francis
10th Anniversary (2013-2023)

Lord Jesus Christ,
we ask you abundant blessings
on our spiritual leader, Pope Francis.
Send your Holy Spirit upon him
so that he may be a brother to all of his faithful
and a true servant to Almighty God.
Strengthen him daily
to complete the immense duties of the Church
with grace and compassion.
Allow him to be a humble leader
who strives to bring peace,
justice, and truth into our world.
Above all, bestow upon our Holy Father
your gifts of faith, hope, and love
so that he unceasingly proclaims your Holy Name.
Mother Mary and all the holy angels and saints of God,
we ask you to guide Pope Francis
this day and always. Amen.

This weekend, Father Jim will be offering this prayer at all weekend Masses in the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport. The Assisi Project has a limited number of high-quality laminated prayer cards for those who may wish to make an offering: $2 each or 3 cards for $5. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

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Call to Prayer
Solemnity of Saint Patrick
Friday, March 17th

Rosary at 5:00pm – Mass at 6:00pm

Who Do You Say I Am?
Lent Bible Study & Retreat
March 19th-March 22nd