Be Not Afraid!

Some thoughts upon the commencement of the papal conclave.

A remark heard over and over again over the past couple of weeks: the new pope is going to have a hard time filling the shoes of his predecessor.

True. But no matter.

We don't need anybody to fill the shoes of Pope John Paul the Great. We need somebody to stand on his shoulders.

With the whole world amazed at the overwhelming outpouring of personal devotion to the late Holy Father — with St. Peter's Square having resounded to cries of Santo Subito! ("Sainthood Now!) at the pope's funeral — the cardinals got the message, loud and clear.

Indeed, the story of John Paul's papacy will not have been fully told for another fifty years. At the least. For the shoulders of Ioannes Paulus PP. Magnus are broad enough for one pope after another to stand upon. That's what we need. And I confidently expect that's what we're going to get.

Veni, Creator Spiritus!

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Mon. 04/18/05 05:42:07 PM
Categorized as Pope John Paul the Great & Religious.