Fr. Franco's Letters

“Habemus Papam.” “We have a Pope.” The Universal Church was universally surprised when a Cardinal from the United States, Robert Prevost, was elected Pope on May 8th. And though he has spent almost half of his life in Peru and Italy, he was born in the USA.

When someone from one’s own country achieves a high office or is honored in some way, it is natural to feel a special affection for that person. And so most Catholics in the United States rejoiced that one of our own was elected Pope. However, our affection and loyalty to the successor to Peter ought to run deeper than that.

We believe that the Pope is a man who was elected to an office that is tied to a supernatural grace. These extensive quotes are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

When Christ instituted the Twelve, “he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them.” Just as “by the Lord’s institution, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another”.
The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the “rock” of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. “The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head.” This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church’s very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.

The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, “is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.” “For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office is Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.

“The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor, as its head.” As such, this college has “supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff.”

The college of bishops exercises power over the universal Church in a solemn manner in an ecumenical council.” But “there never is an ecumenical council which is not confirmed or at least recognized as such by Peter’s successor.” (CCC, #880-884)

These paragraphs describe the role of the Pope as integral for unity in the Church.

Regarding Church teaching, the Catechism teaches:

…To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church’s shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals. The exercise of this charism takes several forms:
“The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful-who confirms his brethren in the faith-he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith and morals. ” (CCC, the end of #890 and the beginning of #891)

As a man, Pope Leo XIV needs our prayers. I am sure that he would be deeply appreciative of them. As the successor of Peter, he deserves our docility and obedience. The Pope is a visible source of unity for the Church. And though it is rare for a Pope to clarify or define dogma, his ordinary teaching and preaching sets the tone for pastoral ministry for the Church throughout the world.

We pray that the Lord bless the world through the ministry of Pope Leo XIV. Let us also pray for ourselves. We too have been given charisms. Let us use these gifts of the Spirit. By them we seek to edify the Church. We want the Church to preach the gospel with charity, clarity and power. Let us do our part!

And let me end this letter with a couple of invitations. First, our annual Catholic Charismatic Conference is July 26. Themed The Joy of the Lord is our Strength, this gathering will be a time to encounter the Lord in the power and love of the Holy Spirit. Details are in this edition of The Flame. Secondly, I am leading a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to Rome, San Giovanni Rotundo (where St. Padre Pio served) and Assisi in October, 2025. You are more than welcome to join us. The tour includes participating in a Papal Audience with Pope Leo (providing he’s in town). Simply contact www.206tours.com/frfranco/ for details.