Pope gets off his ride to bless severely disabled man

The Pope has decided he won't be using the Popemobile, which has been in use since the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.  Rome Reports captures a beautiful moment when he stopped to embrace and bless a severely disabled man, who appeared very excited at the gesture.

If you missed the Mass, go to the YouTube Channel for Vatican Radio and you can probably replay it there and fast forward through parts.  While the Pope was vested with simplicity, that Mass did not lack any beauty.  Chant and sacred polyphony was very fitting and beautiful.

Full Text Homily here: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/03/19/pope:_homily_for_inaugural_mass_of_petrine_ministry_[full_text]/en1-674758

One thing you will notice is the Holy Father's "ars celebrandi." It is very beautiful.  Many commented on the way he elevated the Host and the Chalice - something I picked up last week.  As we age it is not easy to lift arms up, but you see him pushing as high as he can.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.

One thing I have noticed is that Pope Francis is unafraid to show reverence through gestures.  During the Gloria Patri on the balcony the other day, Pope Francis bowed.  He bowed again as he waited for God to bless him through our prayers.  Today at Mass, you see again, the great love and devotion he has for the Eucharist. It just radiates.  And, it's not just during the Eucharist.  Young people especially are going to learn a lot from the visible gestures of Pope Francis.  Pope Benedict did all of these things, but I think they were less visible because people expected these things from him.  As we see in the pictures all over the web of him bowing on the balcony, people seem moved by the manner in which he shows reverence.  This is a good thing.  We should not be afraid to show an external sign of reverence, which should be preceded by and coupled with interior reverence.

If you have not seen the video of him discussing the Mass and the priesthood, see it in my last post. In it, he says that the Mass is not a reunion of friends who come together to eat bread and wine; the Eucharist is fundamentally priestly.  This attitude is manifest in his postures and focus while in prayer, and at Mass.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
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