Viva il Papa

Wow, wow, wow. When our Holy Father was announced yesterday, I had one thought: WHO??

Then we needed to leave to make it to Margaret’s Little Flower Group, so I loaded the kids in the car, without seeing the first blessing. On the way to town, I remembered NPR would be carrying the news of our new Holy Father, so I turned on the radio in time to hear the beginning of the new Holy Father’s Urbi et Orbi message and blessing.

I fell in love. 

At his request, I prayed along with him, for Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. I think I made it part way through the Our Father before I started crying. Then he asked for our prayers for him and silence fell over St. Peter Square (and the NPR commentator and the minivan) as everyone prayed for our new Papa. I wept as I prayed for him, the Vicar of Christ. As he gave us his blessing, my tears continued, as I was moved by this humble man, blessing us all, and thanked God for his gift of Pope Francis to the Universal Church.

 

Apostolic Blessing “Urbi et Orbi”:

Brothers and sisters, good evening!

You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop.  It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one… but here we are… I thank you for your welcome.  The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop.  Thank you!      And first of all, I would like to offer a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI.  Let us pray together for him, that the Lord may bless him and that Our Lady may keep him. 

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

And now, we take up this journey:  Bishop and People.  This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches.  A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.  Let us always pray for one another.  Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.  It is my hope for you that this journey of the Church, which we start today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar, here present, will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this most beautiful city. 

And now I would like to give the blessing, but first – first I ask a favour of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop.  Let us make, in silence, this prayer:  your prayer over me. 

[…]

Now I will give the Blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.

[Blessing]

Brothers and sisters, I leave you now.  Thank you for your welcome.  Pray for me and until we meet again.  We will see each other soon.  Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome.  Good night and sleep well!