Statement of Bishop James F. Checchio on the Tenth Anniversary of Pope Francis

Although we pray for the Holy Father each day, today, we join together in prayers of thanksgiving for Pope Francis as we mark the tenth anniversary of his election as the Vicar of Christ. Being fortunate to be in St. Peter's Square on the day of his election with the seminarians and faculty of the Pontifical North American College, I was struck from the beginning by Pope Francis' closeness to the poor and his simple way of life. He told his newly appointed Papal Almoner, "You won't need a desk; I want you to go out and look for the poor."  After becoming Pope, he famously returned to the hotel where he stayed before the Conclave to pay his bill. The seminarians and young priests in Rome at the Pontifical North American College greatly loved the poor, and this shared love brought about an instant attraction for Pope Francis.

I have certainly heard many of our diocese laity, priests, and clerics express this, too, grateful for the Holy Father's example. Jesus told us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Him. We have since witnessed and heard Pope Francis encourage us all to be incredibly attentive to the poor and see Christ in those who live on the fringes of our regular world and anyone in need of God's mercy. This is the Holy Father's call for us to be a synodal Church, walking attentively with one another and reinforcing our identity as the Body of Christ. 

We thank God for the gift that Pope Francis is to our Church. 

Ad Multos Annos, Holy Father!

Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA
Bishop of Metuchen