Most of us did not expect an American pope! The choice of Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV,

surprised many, but we immediately felt this was God’s doing and rejoiced.

The figure of the Pope is mysteriously significant - not only for the Catholic Church but also for the world.

According to the Canon Law of the Church, “the bishop of the Roman Church, in whom continues the office

given by the Lord uniquely to Peter, the first of the Apostles, and to be transmitted to his successors, is the head

of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ, and the pastor of the universal Church on earth. By virtue of his

office, he possesses supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church, which he is always

able to exercise freely” (can. 331 CIC).

This Canon Law paragraph is very rich in meaning. It points out the fundamental characteristics of the ministry of

the Supreme Pontiff. What strikes me most is that this unique role is not merely administrative but pastoral and

spiritual, grounded in Christ’s words to Peter: “And so, I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build

my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of

heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed

in heaven”.

Meditate upon these words for a moment. What a mystery! What responsibility! That is why, during every Holy

Mass, we pray for our brother whom Christ has entrusted with such a ministry. In a fractured world, the Pope

remains a sign of God's enduring presence and providence, bringing hope to us all. Viva il Papa!