Marian Helper Summer 2013

I n marking the papal transition from Benedict XVI to Francis, many bloggers and columnists have commented on the contrast in style from the more reserved and dignified tone of Benedict’s papacy to Francis’s more informal and spontaneous approach. But what many of them haven’t noticed enough is the continuity from Benedict to Francis on matters of faith, such as the imperative of proclaiming God’s mercy, which is the heart of the Gospel. With Francis, you could even make the case that Divine Mercy has already emerged as a major theme of his papacy, based on his fre- quent references to mercy in his speeches, homilies, and messages during his first several weeks as Pope. What’s particularly revealing is the way Pope Francis focuses on the “merciful Father” (his title for the parable of the Prodigal Son), speaks of God’s “merciful patience and tenderness” toward us, and encourages us to experience God’s mercy by turning from our sin and brokenness and placing our trust in Jesus. Gift of ‘true peace’ On March 17, in his first Sunday homily as Pope, Francis emphasized that “the Lord’s most powerful message” is “mercy.” Then, in his first Divine Mercy Sunday ( Regina Caeli ) message on April 7, the new Pope said that the Risen Christ’s gift of “true peace … comes from the experience of God’s mercy.” He developed this theme further in his homily for Divine Mercy Sunday at St. John Lateran when he pointed out how the apostle Thomas, the apostle Peter, and the disciples on the way to Emmaus all had life-changing experiences of Divine Mercy through their personal encounters with Jesus. Pope Francis also chose in his homily for Divine Mercy Sunday to reflect on “the para- ble of the merciful Father,” saying: I am always struck when I reread the para- ble of the merciful Father; it impresses me because it always gives me great hope. … The Father, with patience, love, hope, and mercy, had never for a second stopped thinking about [the younger son who has left him and squandered his inheritance], and as soon as he sees him still far off, he runs out to meet him and embraces him with tenderness, the tenderness of God. … 8 M ARIAN H ELPER • S UMMER 2013 • www.marian.org In the News: Transition from Benedict XVI to Francis At his installation Mass on March 19, Pope Francis spoke of us being protectors of each other and of creation with “great tenderness.” He showed this tender mercy by greeting a disabled man in St. Peter’s Square. A SSOCIATED P RESS ‘Lord’s most powerful message: mercy’ Like Benedict XVI, Pope Francis is proclaiming and witnessing to God’s mercy. by David Came Click for top 10 Mercy Quotes of Benedict XVI. Cl ick for top 10 Mercy Quotes of Pope Francis.