HABEMUS PAPAM!

HABEMUS PAPAM!
WE HAVE A POPE!

Our beloved Pope Francis passed peacefully on Easter Monday at the age of 88. Thus a period of mourning began before the Conclave to elect a new Pope would begin. Our parishioners at Holy Family poured out their prayers for Pope Francis’ soul at home and in the pews at adoration and mass.

In our bulletin on Divine Mercy Sunday, Monsignor Terry Stewart wrote about all the Popes he has seen in his lifetime. Monsignor took the time to highlight the unique traits which made each Pope a gift to the Church.

Catholics and even those not of the Catholic Faith are grieving the death of our beloved Pope Francis.
I was shocked to wake up Easter Monday to the news of his death. I began to think of all the popes I have known in my lifetime.
Pope Pius XII was pope when I was a boy. He was aristocratic in appearance. He wrote a number of very important encyclicals on the importance of studying Scripture and participating in the Mass.
Pope John XXIII was a favorite of mine. He was a bit roly poly and quite grandfatherly. He’s famous for beginning the Second Vatican Council with the major reforms of the liturgy and Church practice.
Pope Paul VI was the pope while I was in Rome and I got to see him on number of occasions in person. He continued the Second Vatican Council which was left unfinished when Pope John XXIII died.
Pope John Paul I was known as “the smiling pope” and he lived for only one month as pope before his death. I wonder what his papacy would have been like. He looked so kind and warm and friendly.
Pope John Paul II was a pope I met in person when Bishop Rose went to Rome for the Ad Limina visit. He was a very vibrant pope and a world traveler. He start-ed the World Youth Meetings and wrote a number of very important encyclicals.
Pope Benedict XVI was a scholarly pope. Before being elected pope he was a “peritus” at the Second Vatican Council. That word means “expert”. He was a great theologian. He was the first pope to retire in six centuries.
Pope Francis has been my favorite along with Pope John XXIII. I loved his way of teaching and often quoted him in my homilies here at Holy Family because he was so clear and direct in the way he taught. He was so friendly and kindly. You could see it on his face. He loved to be out among his flock. He loved children and there are so many memorable scenes of him with kids and enjoying their presence and even antics. He told priests that we should smell like the sheep meaning we should be out among our people and down to earth. He was a pope that focused on being kind and helpful to the poor and marginalized. He wanted the Church to be a “field hospital” in the world to help mankind. He taught us to care for the environment. He was a prophet. His voice in the world will be greatly missed.

As the conclave neared, our Parish fervently prayed the Cardinals would be guided by God to elect the next shepherd of the Catholic Church. After two days, white smoke appeared signifying a new Pope had been elected. It was a joyous time for all as it was announced that Chicago, Illinois born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen to be the Pope and took on the name Pope Leo XIV.

In this week’s bulletin, Monsignor Stewart wrote to the congregation of his excitement for the new Pope.

This has been an exciting time for us Catholics, especially in the United States.

I was about to have lunch after our recent funeral when I heard someone in the hall say “There’s white smoke at the Vatican!!” I left my food on the table and rushed to the rectory to see what would unfold. I didn’t have to rush because it was a full hour after the white smoke that the Cardinal announced who it was that they had elected: Cardinal Robert Prevost!

I was totally stunned. It seemed to be common knowledge that no American would ever be elected pope. I was overwhelmed.

What a wonderful surprise. Cardinal Cuppich of Chicago outlined the qualities that the Conclave saw in our new pope.

The qualities that the cardinals saw, at least I saw, that were important in determining if he would be the right person. First of all, he’s a hard worker. He’s multilingual. He understands different cultures. He’s lived on three different continents. He’s a pastor, and he has a very strong record of administration, as he had as prior general of the Augustinians. But it was very clear that we wanted somebody who was going to continue the work of Pope Francis. There was no interest at all in diverting attention away from that or moving in a different direction. There was a real fondness for Pope Francis that people carried into our discussions.

I am delighted with our new pope.

God bless Leo XIV!!

Please continue to pray for Pope Leo XIV as he travels down this new path the Lord has set forth for him.