The Conclave has elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. Greeting the 100,000 people in St. Peter's Square: I want to thank all my brother cardinals who have chosen me to be Peter's successor and to walk with you, as a united Church seeking justice. An Augustinian, American, and for many years bishop of the diocese of Chiclayo in Peru.
Elected on the feast of Our Lady of Pompeii, his first greeting is one of peace for all. He recalls Pope Francis, speaks of the missionary Church, and asks everyone to contribute to the building of peace.
Here is the Pope's speech in its entirety:
"Peace be with you all!
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for God's flock. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, all people, wherever they are, all peoples, the whole earth. Peace be with you!
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, who loves us all unconditionally. We still hear in our ears the faint but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome!
The Pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world, on that Easter morning. Allow me to continue with that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God's hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and with one another, let us move forward. We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us too, and then help one another to build bridges, through dialogue, through encounter, uniting us all to be one people always at peace. Thank you, Pope Francis!
I also want to thank all my brother cardinals who chose me to be Peter's successor and to walk with you, as a united Church, always seeking peace, justice, always trying to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries.
I am a son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian, who said: “With you I am Christian, and for you I am bishop.” In this sense, we can all walk together toward the homeland that God has prepared for us.
A special greeting to the Church of Rome! [applause] We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving, like this square with its arms open. Everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, and love.
And if you allow me, a word, a greeting to all those and in particular to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people has accompanied its bishop, shared its faith and given so much, so much to continue being a faithful Church of Jesus Christ.
And if you allow me a word, a greeting to all and in particular to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people has accompanied its bishop, shared its faith and given so much, so much to continue being a faithful Church of Jesus Christ.
To all of you, brothers and sisters in Rome, in Italy, throughout the world, we want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer.
Today is the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close to us, to help us with her intercession and her love.
So I would like to pray together with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world, and let us ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother."
Thanks to Vatican News for the source.
Let us pray for this new pontificate and thank the Lord for this new shepherd of the Universal Church!
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