
His Holiness FRANCIS
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ
BORN: December 17, 1936
ORDAINED PRIEST: December 13, 1969
ORDAINED BISHOP: June 27, 1992
ELECTED POPE: March 13, 2013 6
You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church. Matthew
16:18
O God,
shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably upon your servant, Francis,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Roman Missal
The first words of Pope Francis
“Dear brothers and sisters,
Good evening. You know that the duty of the Conclave was to give Rome a bishop.
It seems that my brother cardinals picked him from almost the ends of the earth.
But here we are! I thank you for the warm welcome. The diocesan community of
Rome has its bishop. Thank you! First and foremost I would like to say a prayer
for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the
Lord bless him and the Virgin keep him.”
After leading the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Gloria, Pope Francis again
addressed the crowd saying:
“And now let us begin this journey, bishop and people, this journey of the
Church of Rome, which is the one that leads all the churches in charity. A
journey of fraternity, of trust between us. Let us always pray for one another.
Let us pray for the world so that this might be a great brotherhood. I hope that
this journey of the Church that we begin today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar
here present will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this
beautiful city.”
“Now I would like to impart the blessing, but first, first I ask a favor of you.
Before the bishop blesses the people, I ask that you pray to the Lord that He
bless me: the prayer of the people asking a blessing for their bishop. Let us
pray in silence, this your prayer for me.”
“Now I will impart the blessing to you and all the world, to all men and women
of good will.” After imparting the apostolic blessing Pope Francis added:
“Brothers and sisters, I take my leave. Thank you for your warm welcome.
Tomorrow I'm going to pray to the Virgin, that she will safeguard all of Rome.
Good night and rest well.”