The 7th anniversary of the Pope
who accompanies us
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| Pope Francis elevates the Sacred Host during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta |
The 7th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate comes in the
midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.
By Andrea Tornielli
As Pope Francis begins the eighth year of his pontificate,
humanity faces the dramatic challenge of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The
powerful and universal invitation to keep focused on what is essential, means
this anniversary is being celebrated differently than in previous years. As we
all confront the precariousness of our existence at this difficult time, Pope
Francis has chosen to accompany us with prayer, entrusting all to Mary, and
celebrating daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. Complete with English
translation, this Mass is broadcast live throughout the world every morning.
These daily celebrations of the Eucharist by Pope Francis at
the Casa Santa Marta represent one of the hallmarks of his pontificate. Each
day, the Pope becomes like a "parish priest", preaching to small
groups of the faithful, sharing with them what his meditation on the day’s Word
of God has stirred in him. A daily appointment, which has become a source of comfort
to the many people who, over the past seven years, have searched for and read
the synthesis of the Pope’s Casa Santa Marta homily, offered by Vatican Media.
Now, this simple and meaningful accompaniment by the Pope has become even more
comforting and important, as he celebrates Mass in the chapel of his residence
and offers the Eucharistic Sacrifice for the suffering and the sick, for their
relatives, for doctors, nurses, volunteers, the lonely and the elderly, for
prisoners and authorities.
On Ash Wednesday, before the coronavirus emergency erupted,
Pope Francis said: "We begin the Lenten Season by receiving ashes:
'Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return’. The dust sprinkled on
our heads brings us back to earth; it reminds us that we are dust and to dust
we shall return. We are weak, frail and mortal. Centuries and millennia pass
and we come and go; before the immensity of galaxies and space, we are nothing.
We are dust in the universe. Yet we are dust loved by God. It pleased the Lord to
gather that dust in His hands and to breathe into it the breath of life. We are
thus a dust that is precious, destined for eternal life. We are the dust of the
earth upon which God has poured out His heaven, the dust that contains His
dreams. We are God's hope, His treasure, and His glory".
The Pope concluded his homily saying: "May we allow
ourselves to be reconciled, in order to live as beloved children, as forgiven
and healed sinners, as wayfarers with Him at our side. Let us allow ourselves
to be loved, so that we can give love in return. Let us allow ourselves to
stand up and walk towards Easter. Then we will experience the joy of
discovering how God raises us up from our ashes.”
Pope Francis is leading us by accompanying us. At the
beginning of the Mass at Santa Marta on Tuesday 10 March, he prayed for
priests, especially: that during this time they may have the strength to
accompany, comfort and be close to those who suffer. While taking all possible
precautions, the Pope said priests should have "the courage to go out and
visit the sick, bringing the strength of the Word of God and the Eucharist”, as
they accompany healthcare workers, volunteers, and all those assisting people
afflicted with the coronavirus.
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