by Father Umberto Brugnoni
In these months we have lived moments of great tension, of fear, and then of hope and joy. In addition to the numerous tensions due to the wars, I am referring above all to the final phase of the life of our beloved Pope Francis, with the prolonged period of hospitalization at the Policlinico Gemelli in Rome and with the pressing news of the ups and downs of his health conditions. Then there was the joy of his return to the Vatican and the sporadic and extemporaneous apparitions in St. Peter's.
Our joy reached its peak on Easter day, when we were able to see him on the Loggia of St. Peter for the blessing. Urbi et orbi. He was seen suffering and sad, but determined to be among his people to support their faith. He also wanted to pass among the pilgrims, present in large numbers in St. Peter's Square on Easter morning, to once again instill trust and hope in the Risen Christ. Everything promised for the best.
But the next day a piece of news pierced our hearts and brought tears of pain to our eyes: Pope Francis is dead! The news at the time struck everyone in disbelief: it is not possible! Yesterday morning he was among us like the Good Shepherd among his flock. The Vatican's confirmation has thrown humanity into the greatest shock and pain.
The pastor has left us, the “North Star” of our journey as men and women towards eternal Life is no more! We have become orphans of the father that God had chosen for our journey in these years. Starting from Monday, April 21, an intense week of prayers, pilgrimages to his coffin, celebrations in his suffrage has passed, until Saturday, April 26, the solemn day of his funeral. Thank you, Pope Francis, now pray from heaven for us so that we may imitate you in faithfulness and coherence to the will of God, while we are on our way towards the Kingdom that you have already reached.
But God has not left his children orphans. Here is the conclave, where the cardinal electors, listening to the Holy Spirit, have quickly elected a new pope who wanted to choose, as a name indicative of his ministry, that of Leo. He is the 267th pope of the Catholic Church; he is for all of us, as Don Guanella indicated, the "polar star", who will accompany us on the paths of God who sees and provides everything.
His first words from the Loggia of St. Peter were of great comfort to all believers. He said in fact: "I am a son of St. Augustine, who said: 'With you I am a Christian and for you a bishop'". With you I am a Christian on the way to the Kingdom, but for you I am the bishop, the shepherd who supports you and accompanies you on the path of God. We are in safe hands; let us follow him and we will certainly meet the Risen One!
Our greetings also from this magazine to Pope Leo XIV. The Gospel of the Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19), which gave impetus to the week of his election, suggests some particular thoughts to us. Peter, after fishing all night and catching nothing, at the word of Jesus casts the net again in the morning and gathers the grace of a rewarded faith; the net fills up improbably with large fish.
Our first wish to Pope Leo XIV is this: "Always have faith in the Christ you represent, even against all evidence! On His Word always perform prophetic gestures without fear, with courage. His grace, like Peter's net, will fill your ministry with wisdom and blessings."
The same Gospel of the third Sunday of Easter, at the end, also presented us with the dialogue between the risen Jesus and Peter: "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" Peter did not feel like saying that he loved Jesus, because he had just betrayed him, but he confirms that he loves him. Jesus accepts the limit of Peter's love. In fact, it is much more to "love" than to "love", but Jesus knows how to be content. And he gives him his Church.
A thought of Benedict XVI comes to mind, expressed in his speech to young people at World Youth Day in Cologne in August 2005, shortly after his election as Pope: "Young people, be in love with Christ or you will be nothing!". It is precisely from here that we take the second wish we want to make to Pope Leo XIV: "Be in love with Christ, with the one you represent on earth. Show us how to love Christ through your life, show us concretely how to become his intimates and lead us, as a shepherd, to that overwhelming and indescribable experience of the encounter with him, to that happiness that is not momentary, but eternal, to that sanctity that alone allows us to live forever fully fulfilled."
And let us pray for Leo XIV, because it is our duty as sons and faithful. God has given him to us as a guide and we welcome him with respect and willingness to listen to him and follow him where he leads us.