Hong Kong (SE): Almost every speech Pope Francis has given since his election as pontiff on 13 March 2013 ends with seven words: “Do not forget to pray for me!”
During his first appearance on the loggia of St. Peter’s square on the night of his election, thre pope stunned the world by asking those gathered below to pray for him—a gesture that signalled a paradigm shift for his papacy.
Before wishing everyone an enjoyable lunch at the end of every Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis makes the same request. And even when world leaders visit, he often bids them farewell with the same reminder.
The Digital Synod is launching an online prayer initiative to mark the 10th anniversary of his election as pontiff—asking Catholics around the world to commit to to pray one or more Hail Marys for the pope.
“The Petrine ministry is a grace that God grants to his Church, and the 10th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis is an occasion to thank God for the gift of giving us a pastor,” said Monsignor Lucio Ruiz, secretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.
“A significant date like this gives us an opportunity to remember in our hearts what it means to be a church on pilgrimage with Peter, as Jesus wanted,” Monsignor Ruiz explained.
The Petrine ministry is a grace that God grants to his Church, and the 10th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis is an occasion to thank God for the gift of giving us a pastor
National Catholic Reporter quoted Monsignor Ruiz saying that idea for the project came from the “digital missionaries” who took part in the synodal meetings, an effort that sought to hold virtual dialogues during the first phase of the ongoing synod consultation process. At the time, a group of about 250 Catholic digital influencers sent out questionnaires to some 115 countries, resulting in more than 150,000 responses and proposals.
Building on the success of the online community created from the synod, the “digital missionaries” began considering how to mark the 10th anniversary of Francis’ election.
“This campaign seeks to respond to this request for prayer made by Pope Francis throughout these 10 years of his pontificate, so that on March 13 we can offer him our prayers for him from different parts of the world, representing the universality of the church, a response that also comes from the digital world,” Monsignor Ruiz said.
Anyone who wishes to join the initiative can go into the web page https://www.decimus-annus.org/site/index to sign up to pray one or more Hail Marys. “In the end we will send the Holy Father the map with the ‘little candles’ which represent the Hail Marys that are prayed for him, thanking God for His Mercy, “ said the Vatican News press release. “This awareness of being in need of the support of the prayer of the people of God has always accompanied him throughout his pontificate,” Monsignor Ruiz added—hence the pope’s constant plea: “Do not forget to pray for me!”
