January 10, 2014 - Pope Francis on Friday thanked two separate groups of papal attendants
who serve him at special ceremonies in the Vatican, urging them to carry the interior
light of the Babe of Bethlehem in the various situations of their lives. Addressing
the Papal Gentlemen along with their families, Pope Francis reminded them that their
very name calls for gentleness and cordiality to put at ease the many personalities
who come to meet the Pope. Also called the Gentlemen of His Holiness, the Papal
Gentlemen are lay people who grace ceremonial and formal occasions such as escorting
dignitaries and heads of state to the pontiff. Gentleness and cordiality, the Pope
said, can find their true roots in a life animated by faith, that bears witness to
a coherent living of the Gospel, without staining it with worldliness. Later,
talking to papal ushers, known as ‘Sediari Pontifici’ in Italian, the Pope urged them
to witness to humility, simplicity and the spirit of service in life with an attitude
of readiness and openness. Reminding them about Jesus who came to serve and not be
served, the Pope said their work can become an occasion to transmit to those they
meet the joy of being Christians. The ‘Sediari Pontifici’ once used to carry the Pope
on a chair or throne on their shoulders during ceremonies and formal occasions, but
today they can be seen at occasions such as weekly general audiences, helping visitors
with special needs and picking out children in the crowd for the Pope to caress and
bless.