6^th Sunday of Easter [C]

May 25, 2025

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

The Catholic Church experiences a profound and historic moment this Easter 2025. Pope Francis, a beloved yet polarizing figure, passed away just a day after delivering his Easter Sunday blessing. His funeral Mass the following Saturday drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, reflecting the deep impact of his papacy. As the cardinals gathered for the conclave, the world watched in anticipation. Then, on May 8, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel. “Habemus Papam!” We have a new pope, and his name is Leo XIV, the first North American pope and the first from the Order of St. Augustine. Thousands of faithful rejoiced in St. Peter’s Square, hopeful for a new chapter in the Church.

Pope Francis’ legacy was marked by both admiration and controversy. Many cherished his compassion for the poor and marginalized, while others struggled with some of his statements and decisions. Now, with Pope Leo XIV’s election, there is hope for unity and peace in the Church. Yet, like any human leader, he would also say or do something that are not according to our wishes. How, then, should we respond to this reality?

The key lies in distinguishing true devotion from fanaticism. Fanaticism is a disorder attraction and it distorts our perception of the papacy, turning admiration into idolatry. It blinds us to the humanity of the pope, making us believe he is infallible in all matters, not just those of faith and morals, and leads us to dismiss or attack those who criticize him. Worse still, it can lead to contempt for other popes simply because they differ from our preferred leader. This extreme attachment often backfires; when our idealized pope falls short of expectations, disillusionment sets in, sometimes even driving people away from the Church entirely.

True devotion, on the other hand, is rooted in love for Christ, who entrusted Peter and his successors with the care of His flock. We honor the pope not primarily because of his personal qualities but because of his sacred role as the Vicar of Christ. In simple term, we love our popes because we love Jesus.

The first reading reminds us of St. Peter’s leadership in the early Church. When the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem and debated whether Gentile converts must follow Mosaic law. Some elders wanted that they should be Jewish before Christians, meaning they had to be circumcised and followed Mosaic laws strictly. Others like St. Paul and Barnabas wanted that the Gentile converts be free from Mosaic laws. Finally, Peter stood and made the final decision: they were not bound by such obligations. The council accepted his authority, knowing it came from Christ. Yet Peter himself was not flawless. In another instance, Paul openly corrected him for failing to uphold his own teaching (Gal 2:11-14). Paul’s rebuke was not born of hatred but of love; a desire to strengthen Peter in his God-given mission.

Like Peter, every pope carries the weighty responsibility of shepherding the Church. And like Peter, they remain human, susceptible to weakness and error. Our role is to support them with prayer, especially in times of trial, and to uphold the Church with both faith and discernment.

Rome

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Questions for reflection:

How do we see our popes? How do we love our popes? Do we ever struggle to understand our popes? How often do we pray for our popes?