Here’s a bit of news likely to light up the Internet today. It certainly caught my attention.
While celebrating Mass today, Pope Francis said he often ponders about the the time he might retire.
During the homily, the Holy Father said that all Bishops “ should seek the grace to be able to take our leave and step down if this is the will of the Holy Spirit.”
Referring to the Scripture in which Saint Paul leaves the Church in Ephesus to go to Jerusalem, the Pope stated: “It’s a decisive move, a move that reaches the heart, it’s also a move that shows us the pathway for every Bishop when it’s time to take his leave and step down.”
He praised the Bishop who can discern when it is the Spirit of God speaking to him and who knows how to defend himself when spoken to by the spirit of the world.”
The Pope said an Apostle’s great love “is Jesus Christ. His second love is for his flock. Take care of each other and of the entire flock. Keep watch over the flock: you are Bishops for your flock, to take care of it and not in order to advance your ecclesiastical career.”
He noted that Paul entrusted the Elders of the Church of Ephesus to God, knowing the Lord will take care of them.
“I am thinking of all Bishops. May the Lord grant all of us the grace to be able to take our leave and step down in this way, with that spirit, with that strength, with that love for Jesus Christ and this faith in the Holy Spirit,” the Pope said.
In 2014, Francis called Benedict’s resignation a “beautiful gesture of nobility, of humility and courage,” adding it “cleared a path for later popes to do the same.”
History will record that Pope Francis retired or died while still in office.
When that moment comes (please God not anytime soon), history will also record that the Conclave to elect the successor of Pope Francis will prove to be among the most contentious since the election of Pope Pope Celestine V, elected Pope following a two-year impasse.
The divisions within the hierarchy, especially within the College of Cardinals, could not be more public nor more clearly defined.
The next Papacy will either be a continuation of the spirit of renewal which has inspired the reforms of Pope Francis or a complete repudiation of his Papacy.
As a dear friend mentioned to me: “If the next Pope takes the name Francis II, we will know.
If he takes the name John Paul III or Benedict XVII we will know as well.”
Let’s hope the Holy Spirit will continue to bless Pope Francis with good health and the spirit to lead the Church for many years yet to come.
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