By Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re
Rome Newsroom, May 7, 2025 / 04:43 am
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered this homily at the “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” (For the Election of the Roman Pontiff) Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 7, 2025, just hours before the cardinals entered the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
We read in the Acts of the Apostles that after Christ’s ascension into heaven and while waiting for Pentecost, all were united and persevering in prayer together with Mary, the Mother of Jesus (cf. Acts 1:14).
This is precisely what we are doing a few hours before the beginning of the Conclave, under the gaze of Our Lady beside the altar, in this Basilica which rises above the tomb of the Apostle Peter.
We feel united with the entire People of God in their sense of faith, love for the Pope, and confident expectation.
We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit, to implore his light and strength so that the Pope elected may be he whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history.
To pray, by invoking the Holy Spirit, is the only right and proper attitude to take as the Cardinal electors prepare to undertake an act of the highest human and ecclesial responsibility and to make a choice of exceptional importance.
Welcome to the Blog: Embracing the Message of Love
When it comes to the act of love, personal considerations must be set aside, focusing solely on the God of Jesus Christ and the greater good of the Church and humanity.
The Gospel message we’ve heard brings us to the core of Jesus’ ultimate commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus’s love knows no bounds, as he exemplified by laying down his life for his friends.
This love, described as “new” by Jesus, expands on the Old Testament’s golden rule, transforming it into a positive force that must guide the thoughts and actions of all disciples. Love, as Paul VI stated, is the driving force behind the “civilization of love” that can change the world.
Jesus’s act of washing the feet of his disciples, including Judas, at the Last Supper sets a powerful example of humble service and unconditional love.
Connecting to the prophet Isaiah’s teachings, pastors are called to love and selflessly give themselves for others.
As we reflect on the liturgical texts of this Eucharistic celebration, we are reminded of the importance of fraternal love, mutual assistance, and commitment to unity within the Church and human fraternity. Every successor of Peter has a duty to foster communion among all Christians, Bishops, and the global community, ensuring that the Church remains a place of unity and solidarity.
Let us heed the strong call to uphold the unity of the Church, following the path laid out by Christ and the Apostles, and continue to spread the message of love to all corners of the world.
