Bishop Terence Drainey who is currently in Rome, has expressed, on behalf of
the faithful of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, great joy and delight at the
election of Pope Francis and pledges the love and prayers of the Catholic
community of Teesside, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and Humberside as the
new Holy Father assumes the responsibilities of the Successor of St. Peter.
Bishop Drainey calls on the faithful of Middlesbrough Diocese to pray in
thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit.
‘The election of Pope Francis to the See of St Peter is an expression of
the Holy Spirit working to renew and enliven the Church. Pope Francis
comes from Argentina and is the first non-European pope in a thousand years.
He is the first member of the Society of Jesus, the first Jesuit, to be the
successor of St. Peter. Also this is the first time that a pope has chosen
the name of ‘Francis’, a saint recognised by all Christians and
non-Christians alike and who is associated with the ideals of simplicity
and poverty. As well as St Francis of Assisi, there is another great saint
with that name, Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary. Our new Holy Father
trained as a scientist, and has a master’s degree in chemistry. He was also
a professor of theology. We join in prayer with the whole Catholic world
begging Almighty God to bless Pope Francis I with all the gifts that he
needs to guide the Church in the way of the Gospel and to inspire us all to
seek the Lord through the gifts of our faith and reason.’
St Francis of Assisi. Pray for him
St Francis Xavier. Pray for him