Homily: May 10, 2025, Saturday of the Third week of Easter (Peter-Pope)

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“Simon Peter answered him, ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”

We are blessed to receive a new pope two days ago, Leo XIV (14th), the 267th successor of St. Peter. In the days leading up to the election, the media was constantly speculating who the next pope might be, some even came up with their own selection of top ten potential cardinals. Let us not forget it is the Holy Spirit who guides this choice, just as Jesus Himself chose Peter to be the first leader of the Church.

Now, was Peter the best choice by world standards? Not at all. Peter was impulsive, hot tempered, sometimes timid, and he might even have had a habit of promising too much without being able to fulfil.

Even though he had affirmed that Jesus was the only person He would follow, Peter still denied having anything to do with Jesus when He was arrested. But Jesus did not give up on Peter, because He sees beyond the superficial, deeper than the exterior and far into the future. So Jesus chose Peter, knowing more than his weaknesses, entrusting the Church’s growth and development to Peter.

After the Pentecost, Peter was totally transformed. His first public preaching converted over 3,000 people. I don’t think anyone has broken that record.

In today’s first reading, we heard, “As Peter was passing through every region…”

Note: “every region”. It seems like Peter went everywhere. He preached, converted crowds, formed and strengthened them. He healed the sick and performed many miracles through the name of Jesus. He was simply going day to day, places to places proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He didn’t rest. He didn’t stop. He didn’t fear. He didn’t fail Jesus. This is the life of every pope. The pope is first and foremost a spiritual father, called to preach the Gospel, guide the Church, and strengthen the faith of God’s people until the day he dies. We believe that Jesus has chosen our pope, and we trust that the Holy Spirit will guide him, like He did with Peter our first pope and all popes after.

As the early Church accepted Peter with his strengths and his human weaknesses, so we too accept and welcome Pope Leo XVI. We thank God for His choice.

Let us pray for our pope, that he remains faithful to his call to serve, love and lead, a servant of the servants of God, and the visible head of the Holy, Roman, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Amen.


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