Posted on 03/13/2013 3:23:29 PM PDT by Morgana
The following is the full text of Pope Francis address to Catholics after his election as the new Pope, as provided by the Vatican:
Brothers and sisters good evening.
You all know that the duty of the Conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him but here we are. I thank you for the welcome that has come from the diocesan community of Rome.
First of all I would like to say a prayer pray for our Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for him, that the Lord will bless him and that our Lady will protect him.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory to the Father
And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and the people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood. My hope is that this journey of the Church that we begin today, together with the help of my Cardinal Vicar, may be fruitful for the evangelization of this beautiful city.
And now I would like to give the blessing. But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the Bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer your prayer for me in silence.
[The Protodeacon announced that all those who received the blessing, either in person or by radio, television or by the new means of communication receive the plenary indulgence in the form established by the Church. He prayed that Almighty God protect and guard the Pope so that he may lead the Church for many years to come, and that he would grant peace to the Church throughout the world.]
[Immediately afterwards Pope Francis gave his first blessing Urbi et Orbi To the City and to the World.]
I will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.
Brothers and sisters, I am leaving you. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and I will be with you again soon We will see one another soon.
Tomorrow I want to go to pray to the Madonna, that she may protect Rome.
Good night and sleep well!
He seems to be a qeniunely kind, gentle and humble man. I’m thrilled with the choice!
So am I!
I loved how he asked for prayers from the faithful and bowed while receiving them.
So humble!
I love his humility. He’s going to be a great Pope.
from Vatican website www.news.va
I'm sure he said pray to, as he would pray to any of the Saints, or to the Holy Spirit, as well as directly to God. Nothing unusual about it; the Pope prays to God, and to the woman God chose to be the mother of His Son, every day. I'm sure he'll pray for wisdom and strength, in order to do this enormous job.
God bless you Pope Francis, and may He guide your decisions and keep you safe and healthy. May you help to guide the people of this world back into the fold.
<> Did Pope Francis actually say “pray to” or was that just a bad translation?
I don’t know if it was a bad translation or not but I will tell you how the process has been explained to me and makes perfect sense to me.
Mary is a part of the communion of saints, as are all Christians. You can ask your friends to pray for you. When you pray to Mary it is like asking Jesus’ best friend to pray for you and intercede for you. Who could be closer to Jesus than His own mother and who is He most likely to listen to if she asks Him a favor? You get special influence for free when you use Mary as an intermediary.
**But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the Bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me **
What is wrong with praying to the Lord?
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