Pope Francis

Well here we are 48 hours into the Papacy of Francis - and still being struck by so many of the images and stories that surround this  humble and prayerful man.  His first steps outside of the walls of the Vatican on Thursday morning were to St. Mary Major Basilica  in Rome, where there is the Icon of Mary entitled: Salus Populi Romani (Health of the Roman People or Salvation of the Roman People).  

There is a tradition that this ancient Icon was painted by St. Luke - the author of the Gospel... even if its painter is not known - it is an Icon that the new Pope always visited when he was in Rome as Bishop and Cardinal!

Then he dropped by the Hotel he had stayed at while he was in Rome - before the Conclave started - at which time all of the Cardinal Electors moved into the Hotel Santa Martha - within the walls of the Vatican.

Apparently he settled the bill with his own money!  All of this transport was in a Volkswagen - not the Mercedes Benz Limo that would normally transport the Pope!

Then on the way to the Mass in the afternoon with the Cardinal electors (at which he told them to wear their Black cassocks, not the "showy" red cassocks) he joined the Cardinals on the Bus between the Hotel Santa Martha and the Chapel of St. Paul - where the mass was celebrated!  This picture was taken on a cell phone and was sent out by a Cardinal who was on the bus!  Can you imagine!?!

All very promising signs for our new Pope. On Saturday he will meet the Press / Journalists who have been accredited to the Vatican - almost 6,000 - in the Paul VI Audiance hall, which coincidentally holds 6,000 people!
We are preparing a prayer card which we will have ready for distribution next Sunday - Palm/Passion Sunday - for our parish.
Peace