Vatican City, 23 February 2014 (VIS) –
At midday, after celebrating Holy Mass with the new cardinals in the
Vatican basilica, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to
pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Bishop of Rome commented on the
Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, a community divided into
various groups who referred to different preachers, whom they
considered their chiefs. Paul explained that this way of thinking was
mistaken, as the community did not belong to the apostles, but rather
they, the apostles, belonged to the entire community of Christ.
“From this origin, derive all
Christian communities”, continued Pope Francis:”dioceses,
parishes, associations, movements ... the differences cannot
contradict the fact that everyone, by Baptism, has the same dignity:
in Jesus Christ we are all children of God. … Those who have
received the ministry of guiding, of preaching, of administering the
Sacraments, must not consider themselves as having special powers, as
masters, but must place themselves at the service of the community,
helping it to walk the path of holiness with joy”.
"The Church today entrusts the
witness of this style of pastoral life to the new cardinals, with
whom I have celebrated the Holy Mass this morning. Yesterday's
consistory and today's Eucharistic celebration have given us a
valuable opportunity to experience Catholicity, the Church's
universality, well represented by the varied backgrounds of the
members of the College of Cardinals gathered in close communion
around Peter's Successor. May the Lord give us the grace to work for
the unity of the Church, and to build this unity, for unity is more
important than conflicts. Unity is Christ's; conflicts are problems
that are not always Christ's”.
“I invite you to support these
pastors and to help them with prayer … How in need of your prayers
are the Pope, cardinals, and bishops, to help the People of God
advance along their path. I say 'to help', or rather to serve the
People, for this is the true vocation of the bishop, the cardinal and
the Pope: to be servants, to serve in Christ's name. Pray for us, so
that we might be good servants, not good masters. All together,
bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful; we must all
offer the witness of a Church faithful to Christ, inspired by the
wish to serve our brothers and ready to meet with prophetic courage
the expectations and the spiritual needs of the men and women of our
time. May Our Lady accompany us and protect us in this journey”.
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