WHY DO CATHOLICS LOVE THE POPE?
HERE ARE THE REASONS.
Audiovisual and text
We, Catholics, love the Pope, whoever he may be, not only because of his particular traits which make him amiable. Rather, we Catholics venerate and love him because of profound theological reasons, which are as follows:
- “When Christ instituted the Twelve, ‘he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them.’”-Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 880-
- “The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the “rock” of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock (Cf. Mt 16:18-19; Jn 21:15-17.) The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head.’ This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church’s very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.” -Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 881-
- “The Pope, Bishop of Rome and the Successor of Saint Peter, is the perpetual, visible source and foundation of the unity of the Church. He is the vicar of Christ, the head of the College of bishops and pastor of the universal Church over which he has by divine institution full, supreme, immediate, and universal power.” -Compedium of the Catechism, n. 182
- “You must love, venerate, pray and mortify yourself for the Pope, and do so with greater affection each day. For he is the foundation stone of the Church and, throughout the centuries, right to the end of time, he carries out among men that task of sanctifying and governing which Jesus entrusted to Peter.”-St. Josemaria, Forge 134-
Dear brethren in Christ, let us pray daily for the Holy Father and for the unity in the Catholic Church, asking God so that all Catholics may be one, as Jesus and the Father are one. Let us be convinced that the Holy Spirit, who vivifies the Church, and chose the Pope to be Christ’s Vicar here on earth, is continuously acting in the person of the Pope, and in Christ’s Church.
Let us also pray for all those who look at the Pope with suspicion and disbelief so that they may let the Holy Spirit act in their hearts and change their mindset, thereby contributing to the unity in Christ’s Church.
O God, who chose your servant Francis in succession to the Apostle Peter as shepherd of the whole flock, look favorably on the supplications of your people and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth, he may confirm his brethren, and that the whole Church may be in communion with him in the bond of unity, love and peace, so that in you, the shepherd of souls, all may know the truth and attain life eternal. 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.
Collect prayer, Mass for the Pope
A blessed day ahead. Stay safe and God bless.
Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
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