| The first words of our Holy Father
to the Church after his election:
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.
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.
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!
Keep up-to-date on what the Holy
Father is saying by visiting the Vatican's
website. |