With prayerful contemplation, I watched with tears in my eyes the Requiem Mass and pontifical ceremonies in St. Peter's Square last Thursday and focused my attention not on the physical frailty of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but rather on the spiritual strength of Pope Francis, as he gave his last blessings, lovingly touching the simple coffin of his friend and predecessor, the late 265th pope, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger. Whilst lamenting silently, my most compelling insight was on the strength of the Catholic Church and its 1.3 billion faithful all over the world.
Of the three Abrahamic religions, Christianity has 2.2 billion followers today, or 32% of the world's population, followed by Islam with 1.6 billion or 23%, and Judaism with only 14 million or 0.2%. And yet, in chronology, the Jews came first, followed by the Christians, then the Muslims. Judaism was founded long before the birth of Christ. Christianity was founded by Jesus in the first century CE and Islam was founded by Muhammad in 610 CE. Catholicism is the biggest branch of Christianity and perhaps the most durable and strong. The most formidable symbol of its strength is the long line of succession of its leaders, from Peter to Pope Francis.
The last 10 popes in reverse order from Francis and Pope Benedict XVI, were St. John Paul II (Karol Josef Wojtyla), Blessed John Paul I (Albino Luciani) whose papacy only lasted 33 days, St. Paul VI (Giovanni Batista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini), St John XXIII (Angelo Giseppe Roncali), Venerable Pius XII (Eugenio Maria Gieuseppe Giovanni Pacelli), Pope Pius XI (Achille Ambroglio Damiano Ratti), Benedict XV (Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista), and Pius X (Giuseppe Melchiori Sarto) whose papacy was from 1903 to 1914.
Of the last 10 popes, seven were Italians, one Polish, one German and one Argentinian with Italian descent. Pope Francis whose motto is "Miserando atque eligendo" (Lowly but chosen), has served since March 13, 2013 upon the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, whose motto was "Cooperatores veritatis" (Cooperators with the truth) and was pope from April 19, 2005 to February 28, 2013. Saint John Paul II was our Holy Father from October 16, 1978 to April 2, 2005 or for 26 years, one of the longest in papal history. He was elected pope at the age of 58 and died at 84. His motto was “Totus tuus” (Totally yours). His immediate predecessor, John Paul I's motto was “Humilitas” (Humility). He died under mysterious circumstances 33 days after his elevation, one of the shortest in history.
Saint Paul VI was pope from June 21, 1963 to August 6, 1978. His motto was "Cum ipso in monte" or “With him in the mount”. St John XXIII whose motto was "Obedientia et pax" (Obedience and peace), was pope from October 28, 1958 to June 3, 1963. Pius XII was pope from March 2, 1939 to October 9, 1958, or 19 years including the time of the Second World War. His motto was "Opus justitiae pax" (The work of justice is peace). Pope Pius XI, whose motto was "Pax Christi in Regno Christi" (Peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ) was pope from February 6, 1922 to February 10, 1939.
Pope Benedict XV's motto was “In te, domine, speravi non confundar in aeternum" (In thee, oh Lord, I trust I shall not be confused forevermore). He was pope from September 3, 1914 to January 22, 1922. Saint Pius X, who was pope from August 4, 1903 to August 20, 1914 adopted the motto "Instaurare omnia in Christi" (Restore all things in Christ). Of the last 10 popes, four were already canonized as saints: John Paul II, Paul VI, John XXIII, and Pius X.
Pius XII is venerable, John Paul I is blessed. I think, both Benedict XVI and Francis are good candidates for sainthood.
I thank the Lord that I’m a member of the Holy Roman Catholic Apostolic Church, founded by the Lord Jesus himself when he entrusted the keys to Peter, the first of the 266 popes. Jesus, of course, was a descendant of David whose forefathers could be traced to the 12 tribes of Israel, sons of Jacob, who was the son of Isaac, whose father was Abraham. Ismael was the first son of Abraham and from his bloodline came the Muslims, who, like the Jews are also our brothers. I marvel at the contemplation that my faith can be traced all the way from Genesis up to Revelation.