Before the text, my comments: The Pope hardly consults the text of his homily.  He speaks freely and from the heart. I have marked the most striking parts of the brief homily.  He is calling all to return to Christ wholeheartedly. In these three readings I see that there is something in common: it is movement. In the first reading, movement is the journey [itself]; in the second reading, movement is in the up-building of the Church. In the third,... Read more

Brothers and sisters, good evening. You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are. I thank you for this welcome by the diocesan community of Rome to its bishop. Thank you. First of all, I would like to say a prayer for our bishop emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us all pray together for... Read more

Después de quinientos años desde la primera evangelización de Sud América y una gran parte de ella hecha por miembros de la Sociedad de Jesús (los Jesuitas), los cardenales de la Iglesia han escogido al primer papa latinoamericano quien también es sacerdote Jesuita.  Hoy es ciertamente un día histórico. ¡Qué alegría aprender que el Arzobispo de Buenos Aires había sido escogido como el 266º sucesor de San Pedro!  Que emoción saber que era latinoamericano como yo, y descendiente de inmigrantes... Read more

Five hundred years after the initial evangelization of South America (and a considerable portion of it done by members of the Society of Jesus), today the College of Cardinals has chosen the first Latin American Pope who also happens to be a member of the Society of Jesus.  This is a historic day. I could not contain my joy when I realized the Archbishop of Buenos Aires had been elected as the 266th successor of Saint Peter.  He is Latin American like... Read more

The Sistine Chapel has ceased to be a tourist destination, at least for a few days. Below Michelangelo’s magnificent 16th century frescoes, 115 cardinals, guided by the Holy Spirit, will select the next successor of Saint Peter. Starting this upcoming Tuesday, the world will have its eyes fixed on the chimney that rises from the Sistine Chapel (pictured above) anxiously waiting for the white smoke signaling the final vote for the next Pope. Much of the attention given to the conclave lies... Read more

La Cuaresma inicia todos los años con la lectura de dos pasajes del evangelio en la misa: el primer domingo de Cuaresma la tentación de Jesús en el desierto y el segundo domingo la transfiguración. El primer pasaje describe a Jesús en el desierto, hambriento y tentado.  Sentimos compasión por él y somos testigos de su humanidad. El segundo pasaje describe a Jesús en la cima de una montaña, radiante y glorioso. Sentimos entusiasmo por él y somos testigos de... Read more

I wonder if Saint Paul was meditating on the parable we just heard proclaimed when he wrote: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.  And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ.” The son who was lost becomes a new creation by the power of the father’s unconditional, reconciling love. This parable may be the best known of the whole Bible, perhaps... Read more

Have you noticed an inconsistency in the news about how long it has been since a Pope resigned?  This is because a distinction must be made: the last one to resign freely and the last one to be forced to resign. The last Pope to resign freely was Celestine V in 1294. Gregory XII on the other hand was forced to resign in 1415.  I have written a brief history connecting both Popes since they are both connected by a... Read more

I will always remember the moment Pope Benedict XVI was elected Pope.  Right before noon Mass in college the priest announced white smoke had already been spotted coming from the Sistine Chapel, but that the new Pope had not been announced yet.  Immediately after Mass I went to the student center and sat in front of the television until the words came, “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum Habemus Papam. Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Josephum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger qui... Read more

Here is the text of Pope Benedict XVI’s last Wednesday audience at Saint Peter Square.  An estimated 200,000 filled the square and the Via della Conciliazione.  More insightful passages are in bold. Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood! Distinguished Authorities! Dear brothers and sisters! Thank you for coming in such large numbers to this last General Audience of my pontificate. Like the Apostle Paul in the biblical text that we have heard, I feel in my heart... Read more