Habemus Papam!

     WOW!  What a day!  I can't even begin to explain the excitement that filled this day. As a Catholic, I have been glued to the TV and have been anxiously waiting to see the white smoke emerge from the chimney.  What I didn't expect was the emotion to follow!  When I realized that it was indeed white smoke, I jumped off of my couch as if the Steelers had just won the Super Bowl!  I  was alone in my house and was disappointed that I didn't have anyone to share this momentous occasion with!  I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as I waited, like many of you, to see our new Pope walk out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for all to see.  When he finally stepped onto the balcony, tears filled my eyes as I watched him stand there absolutely mesmerized.  It took him quite a while to speak, but when he did.......WOW!  The first thing our new Pope did was bow his head and ask US to pray for HIM!  Zack and I, in our house in Bridgeville Pa, bowed our heads and prayed for him, just like many of you probably did too.  The thousands of people in St. Peter's Square were silent...all praying for our new leader.  I will never forget that moment for as long as I live.  Catholic or not, that was a powerful moment. 
     Over the past few weeks, I have had so many questions about the process to elect our Pope and why I believe in the Catholic faith so deeply.  Today was the answer.  Today, as I watched Pope Francis accept the task of being the representation of Christ on earth, I was beaming with pride.    He is saying "YES" for me.....for you....for the 1.2 billions of Catholics in this world.  Why do I love this faith so much?  Because I have worked hard to understand it......I love the Traditions behind it, the rituals within it and the people who are a part of it.  Flawed?  Yes?  Confusing?  At times.  But, to me, it is my faith.  It is how I chose to serve and follow Jesus Christ.  I feel blessed to have a Pope as my leader, Bishops and Priests as my teachers and faithful followers to act as companions with me on my journey.

 

     Pope Francis........PRAY FOR US!!