You all know that the duty of the Conclave
was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone almost
to the ends of the earth to get him… but here we are. I thank you for the welcome
that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.
First of all I would like
to say a prayer pray for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together
for him, that the Lord will bless him and that our Lady will protect him.
Our
Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory to the Father…
And now let us begin
this journey, the Bishop and the people, this journey of the Church of Rome which
presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual
trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there
might be a great sense of brotherhood. My hope is that this journey of the Church
that we begin today, together with the help of my Cardinal Vicar, may be fruitful
for the evangelization of this beautiful city.
And now I would like to give
the blessing. But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the Bishop blesses the
people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people
for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.
[The
Protodeacon announced that all those who received the blessing, either in person or
by radio, television or by the new means of communication receive the plenary indulgence
in the form established by the Church. He prayed that Almighty God protect and guard
the Pope so that he may lead the Church for many years to come, and that he would
grant peace to the Church throughout the world.]
[Immediately afterwards
Pope Francis gave his first blessing Urbi et Orbi – To the City and to the World.]
I
will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good
will.
Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray
for me and I will be with you again soon... We will see one another soon.
Tomorrow
I want to go to pray to the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.