Today is the one year anniversary of Pope Francis' election, and he has marked the occasion by repeating the simple request that he originally asked of his flock on March 13, 2013, "Pray for me."
Though new popes normally begin their tenures by blessing their community, in characteristic Francis style, he did not follow suit. He said:
And now I would like to give the blessing. But first I want to ask you a favour. Before the Bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence.
His very first tweet read:
Dear friends, I thank you from my heart and I ask you to continue to pray for me.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 17, 2013
Pope Francis.
Today, he wrote:
Please pray for me.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) March 13, 2014
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