Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Archbasilica of St John Lateran this evening in a ceremony that included the ordination of a new auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Rome. Pope Francis travelled across Rome to celebrate today’s Feast of the Dedication of St John Lateran – the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Rome, known as the “mother and head of all the Churches of Rome and of the whole world.”
During the Liturgy, the Holy Father ordained Monsignor Angelo De Donatis to the episcopate. Bishop De Donatis had been serving as pastor of the parish of Saint Mark the Evangelist in Rome.
Vatican Radio reported that Pope Francis’ homily was based on the text prescribed for the ordination of a Bishop.
The Pope reminded the new Bishop that he has been chosen by the Lord. “The title of Bishop is not one of honour but of function, and therefore a Bishop should strive to serve rather than to rule.” Bishops are called “[to] proclaim the message whether it is welcome or unwelcome; [to] correct error with unfailing patience and teaching [and to] pray and offer sacrifice for the people committed to your care and so draw every kind of grace for them from the overflowing holiness of Christ” … and especially, to “love all those whom God places in your care.”
