(CNA) — The executive committee of the Argentine Bishops\u2019 Conference invited the country\u2019s faithful to celebrate \u201cwith joy and fervor\u201d the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as the successor of St. Peter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, then archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pontiff on March 13, 2013, on the second day of the conclave following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Francis is the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit to serve as pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a letter, the Argentine bishops, headed by Bishop \u00d3scar Ojea, encouraged the dioceses of Argentina to join the celebrations from March 11\u201319, marking the 10th anniversary of the start of Pope Francis’ Petrine ministry, in order to \u201crenew along with our holy faithful People of God the affection\u201d for the Holy Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prelates noted that \u201cthis profound affection\u201d is not only shared by members of the Catholic Church but also \u201cby a huge number of people, believers and nonbelievers, who value his leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is an opportunity for us to express with joy and faith our adherence and gratitude to the magisterium of the bishop of Rome who presides over the Churches in charity,\u201d the bishops said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Argentine prelates invited parishes, cathedrals, and Marian shrines to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving, emphasizing that this is an occasion for the Argentine people to renew their \u201cjoy for the ministry of Francis\u201d and to pray for his pastoral service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They also encouraged that, if possible, a celebration of a diocesan or regional nature be held, to \u201cmanifest joy in communion,\u201d in person or virtually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(CNA) — The executive committee of the Argentine Bishops\u2019 Conference invited the country\u2019s faithful to celebrate \u201cwith joy and fervor\u201d the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as the successor of St. Peter. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, then archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pontiff on March 13, 2013, on the second day of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[153],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n