Pope Francis to the Faithful: ‘Be Protectors of God’s Gifts!’

In his homily for his inaugural Mass, Pope Francis called on the faithful to protect every person, all creation, and to care for one another.

“We also see the core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!” said the pontiff, addressing the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, the cardinals, bishops, and clergy.  

He said that the vocation involves not only Christians but all people, that it has a very broad context.

“It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families…It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness.”

“In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!” said the pope.

The pope also directly addressed the people who have political and economic power.

“Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be ‘protectors’ of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment. Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world! But to be ‘protectors,’ we also have to keep watch over ourselves! Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives! Being protectors, then, also means keeping watch over our emotions, over our hearts, because they are the seat of good and evil intentions: intentions that build up and tear down! We must not be afraid of goodness or even tenderness!” said Pope Francis.