The Church is marking the 10th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis, today, 13 March 2023.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires was elected in 2013 in the conclave to become the first Pope from the Americas.
As the 265th successor to Saint Peter, he was the first Pope to take the name of Francis, a name chosen in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi because he wanted “a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49).
Pope Francis, age 86, was elected following the resignation of the late Pope Benedict XVI in February 2013, the first to do so in six centuries.
Pope Francis has given us so much as Grandparents since his pontificate began. We are especially grateful to him for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly which he announced in January 2021.
Please pray for our dear Holy Father as he marks this milestone of his pontificate.
May God Bless and Guide him always.
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