Pope installed as bishop of Rome, speaks about Divine Mercy

08 April, 2013 - Pope Francis was formally installed as bishop of Rome Sunday evening and he urged Catholics to find the courage to accept the love of God who is infinitely merciful and patient. Pope Francis celebrated a Mass for thousands of people in Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Italian capital. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome in the tradition of St. Peter the Apostle, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome. However, this job is carried out by his vicar, currently Cardinal Agostino Vallini. Pope Francis was elected the spiritual leader of the 1.2-billion-member Catholic Church on March 13, and formally initiated his pontificate on March 19. "God's patience urges in us the courage to return to him, no matter how many mistakes and sins there may be in our life," Pope Francis said in Italian in his homily at Sunday’s Mass in St. John Lateran. Speaking on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Pope said, “Let us be enveloped by the mercy of God; let us trust in his patience, which always gives us more time. Let us find the courage to return to his house, to dwell in his loving wounds, allowing ourselves be loved by him and to encounter his mercy in the sacraments,” the Pope urged. He noted that the world suggests many offers, “but let us take up God's offer instead: his is a caress of love. For God, we are not numbers, we are important, indeed we are the most important thing to him; even if we are sinners, we are what is closest to his heart," he said.
Thousands of people who could not get into the packed basilica gave Pope Francis a rousing welcome outside as he rode around a large square in an open jeep. They applauded as he unveiled a plaque re-naming the square in front of the Rome Vicariate after Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005.
Describing God’s mercy as a ‘beautiful truth of faith,” Pope Francis said, “God’s love for us is so great, so deep; it is an unfailing love, one which always takes us by the hand and supports us, lifts us up and leads us on.” Explaining Sunday’s Gospel about the unbelieving Thomas, the Pope said Jesus is patient with him, does not abandon Thomas in his stubborn unbelief; but gives him a week’s time, and does not close the door on him. And Thomas responds to Jesus’ patience with the simple yet faith-filled pledge, “My Lord and my God!’ “God is patient with us because he loves us, and those who love are able to understand, to hope, to inspire confidence; they do not give up, they do not burn bridges, they are able to forgive,” he added. Pope Francis stressed one final point in his homily: “God’s patience calls us to have the courage to return to him, however many mistakes and sins there may be in our life.” And every time we receive the sacraments with faith, we touch Jesus and enter his wounds like Thomas.
Earlier, on Sunday, Pope Francis addressed a large crowd during his weekly midday ‘Regina Coeli’ prayer in Rome’s St. Peter Square, saying those who believe without seeing are indeed blessed. Reflecting on the Feast of Divine Mercy, Pope Francis emphasized that when Jesus said “blessed are those who do not see and yet believe,” with regard to the unbelieving Thomas in Sunday’s Gospel episode, the Pope also referred to those who believed the testimony of the Apostles and even today hear and believe the witness of Christians. To the profession of faith of Thomas, Jesus replied, ‘because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed,” the Pope said, stressing this is “the beatitude of faith.” “At all times and in all places are blessed are those who, through the Word of God proclaimed in Church and witnessed by Christians, believe that Jesus Christ is the love of God incarnate, Mercy incarnate. “And this is true for each of us!” he exclaimed. The Pope then focused on the Christ’s mission for the Church of passing on to men “the remission of sins, and so grow the Kingdom of love, sowing peace in hearts.” And this mission also extends to “relationships, societies and institutions,” he added. Pope Francis concluded his ‘Regina Coeli’ reflection, urging all Christians not to “be afraid of being a Christian and living as a Christian!”