It has been an exciting, few months. The whole world watched the Vatican waiting for the white smoke to emerge to announce the election of a new Pope.

In today’s Gospel we go back to the pronouncement of Peter as the first Pope. ‘You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.’ We see that this is not a job description based on the most intelligent, the most pastoral, the most talented person but rather based on faith. Peter stepped out to respond to Jesus’ question with the declaration ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus makes it clear that this insight was a gift to him, not through human knowledge, but by being open to the inspiration of the Father himself.

Faith is gifted to him enabling him to take on the authority of leading the Church and so the Primacy of Peter is established. Simon the fisherman has become Peter the rock. His humanness is renowned and yet he was chosen.

This passage leads me to three actions: to pray more for the gift of faith; to spend more time with Jesus in prayer; and to pray for Pope Leo XIV. The same Spirit, inspiring the appointment of Peter as leader is working in the Church today with the surprising appointment of Pope Leo XIV.

Lord, we pray for our new Pope, Leo XIV. May he be guided by you every day in his leadership. Bless him with wisdom and courage and under his leadership bring new unity to the Church. Amen.

By Donna Brennan