Pope Francis delievers powerful message during first Mass

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
3/15/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Francis calls for a new humility.

Pope Francis delivered a powerful message to the Church at his first public mass on Thursday, warning against temptations and saying the church could just become another charitable group if it did not remain faithful to its true mission.

Holy Father Francis at his first public Mass.

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VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - A pope of many firsts, and known for his humility, delivered a powerful message to the Church on Thursday saying that it must stick to its roots, the Gospel of Christ, while resisting modern temptations, or else it would become just another charitable organization.

Speaking in fluent Italian, he said, "We can walk all we want, we can build many things, but if we don't proclaim Jesus Christ, something is wrong. We would become a compassionate NGO and not a Church which is the bride of Christ."

Pope Francis is being closely watched by the rest of the world. It is believed he may being a new age of austerity and simplicity to the Papacy and the Church as a whole, in a time where the laity has sometimes criticized the Church for its opulence. Francis sounded more like a parish priest than anything, delivering a simple homily with a basic message.

"When we walk without the cross, when we build without the cross and when we proclaim Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly. We may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, all of this, but we are not disciples of the Lord," he said.

Pope Francis has already electrified the Church. From refusing to stand on a platform to elevate himself above others at his presentation, to his humble lifestyle as a cardinal, the people of the Church are amazed at his habits. After his election as Pope, he went to pray at a local basilica, then returned to a hostel where he was sleeping prior to the conclave. He paid the bill in person.

His leadership by example is undoubtedly renewing the faith of millions who have wanted to see refreshment and renewal in the office of the Holy See. Now, they have it.

Pope Francis, in taking the name Francis, made clear that he would be moving the Church in a new direction, towards greater humility and change. He has washed and kissed the feet of AIDS victims and likes to ride public transportation, and even cook his own meals.

Reports from cardinals suggest that he was just the man they were looking for. Pope Francis is humble and spiritual, and his calling by God to the papacy is no accident. It appears the Cardinals listened to both the people of the Church as well as the voice of the Holy Spirit.

The Church has done well, and under the guidance of Pope Francis, it is prayed that it will once again flourish in ways unimagined.

� 2013, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Francis, pope, monkier, name, title, direction, mass, message, humility, change, reform

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1 - 9 of 9 Comments

Patrick Mascarenhas
2 months ago
Dear God,

Thank you for choosing Pope Francis as our leader and guide for the Roman Catholic Church. Bless,Guide and Inspire Him in leading the Clergy and the laity with the Humility that he possesses.
wilma
2 months ago
i feel this new pope named francis is truly our papa vicar of christ on earth he brings to me the true meaning of a humle simple man like a father to his children i pray for him as the holy spirit dwells in him to guide his sheep to the kingdom of god only the holy spirit could have picked him to be our pope in this time long live pope francis
David
2 months ago
God's time is the best. Pope Francis is here according to the plan of God.
natukunda annet ahabwe
2 months ago
Thanks to God for giving us a pope.pray for me and the church to grow. annet ahabwe from Uganda
Thomas
2 months ago
To Gabrilla's statement I say AMEN.
Pamela
2 months ago
Pope Francis has helped to secure my renewed belief in my faith.

The church has long needed an uncomplicated man with uncomplicated ways to lead us.

Long may Pope Francis continue to bring back to us that the church is Christ and we are his family
abey
2 months ago
Pope Francis indeed has spoken the words, "Temptations" reflecting the words of Jesus in the revelations to the Churches "Just as I overcame, so should you" & other referring to the so called increasing "Social Gospels" where works are above the faith or works without faith. To be not shy to preach Jesus, lest He be shy of the one, before The Father & His Angels.
Gabriella
2 months ago
This humble man, Pope Francis, will show us, his sheep, how to return to our roots, our Catholic, humble roots given to us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. I have full confidence in his love for the Church and his love for us, his people.
I thank the Lord, the Holy Spirit, for guiding the hearts and minds of the cardinals to bring Pope Francis's name forward. He truly lives what he preaches - and that itself is a great gift to us, Catholics, all over this wonderful world.
Greg
2 months ago
Amen. The only answer to all the problems, ours, and the world's is Jesus Christ. Without Him everything will go through the same life-death cycle. Only things done in Him will be forever.

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