Pope Francis Speaks

Pope Francis has given his first homily, in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican - directly to the cardinals who elected him yesterday - but beyond them to all the priests and nuns and laity of the world. He wore simple vestments and black shoes and has not yet agreed to wear the large gold papal ring. He spoke without a text and in Italian, both breaks from the tradition that the Vatican secretary of state prepares a Latin text that the new pope obediently delivers. Francis said last night that he would make his homily himself. And he did. He spoke of three things : Walking, Building, Confessing. Walking among mankind as Jesus did. Building not sandcastles but stone edifices of faith because they are built with love in Jesus' name. Confessing Jesus and His Cross to the world because without confessing that He is Lord nothing will have meaning or last and the Church will become a "pitiful non-governmental organization." What a profoundly simple message for people of all faiths and of little or no faith. We can only wish Francis all success in bringing to the world the brotherhood and love of our fellow man that it is clear he lives in his own life.