{"id":52411,"date":"2025-05-06T00:01:57","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T04:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=52411"},"modified":"2025-05-06T15:15:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T19:15:27","slug":"follow-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/follow-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Follow Me","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"977\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-977x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52413\" style=\"width:590px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-977x1024.jpg 977w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-286x300.jpg 286w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-768x805.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me.jpg 1049w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">\u201cDo you love me?\u201d and Peter said to him, <\/span><\/strong><br \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">\u201cLord, You know everything; <\/span><\/strong><br \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">you know that I love You.\u201d <\/span><\/strong><br \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">Jesus said to him, \u201cFeed my sheep&#8221;&#8230;<\/span><\/strong><br \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">And when he had said this, <\/span><\/strong><br \/><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">he said to him, \u201cFollow Me.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><br \/><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">(John 21:17-19)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><div id=\"buzzsprout-player-17108988\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t <script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1172402\/17108988.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-17108988&amp;player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">or on <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3eq2qYDf3os\"><strong>YouTube<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"drop-cap-8952b501-cb48-4ee3-837e-f592fd99cd5f\" class=\"paragraph-drop-cap\"><style><\/style><p class=\"wp-block-pack-drop-cap has-medium-drop-cap\">As the Church prepares for yet another conclave, another pope, there is vast speculation on who that will be, who will make the best successor, etc. &#8220;This cardinal will be more progressive,&#8221; says one commentator; &#8220;This one will carry on Francis&#8217;s agenda,&#8221; says another; &#8220;This one has good diplomatic skills&#8230;&#8221; and so on. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>But Jesus long ago gave the <em>definitive<\/em> qualification for being pope, the &#8220;rock&#8221; on which He would build His Church. It was not enough for Peter to make reparation for his three denials with three &#8220;I love you&#8217;s.&#8221; Were that sufficient, Jesus might have left the impression that it is the virtue and strength of the man holding the papal office that is most crucial to its success; that it is a human institution, based on Peter&#8217;s personality, rather than a divine office. Instead, Jesus qualifies the calling with this essential directive: <em>&#8220;Follow Me.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"854\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-Peter-1024x854.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52440\" style=\"width:341px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-Peter-1024x854.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-Peter-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-Peter-768x641.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Follow-Me-Peter.jpg 1199w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>That is to say, it is by grace and obedience that Peter will be able to fulfill the task to &#8220;feed My sheep,&#8221; as Jesus commanded him. Contrary to contemporary expectations, it does not rely upon his intelligence, theological prowess, charisma, or personal skills (as helpful as these may be), but upon his willingness to follow Jesus \u2014 and teach the nations to do the same.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">cf. Matt 28:19-20<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8230;we are not only looking at what will be the reactions of the mass media saying, \u201cWe need a pope who is communicator in this world,\u201d or secondary criteria that \u201cNow we need an African or now we must return to an Italian,\u201d or all these stupid criteria. They have nothing to do [with the papacy.] We have to look to the explanation Jesus Himself gave of the service and the office of St. Peter, in the words He spoke to St. Peter: You are the rock and I give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven and you have to confirm your brothers in the faith and you are the shepherd of the the universal Church.<\/strong> \u2014Cardinal Gerhard M\u00fcller (voting for the first time), April 24, 2025, <a href=\"_wp_link_placeholder\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\">lifesitenews.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In some ways, the series I wrote called <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/category\/jesus-week\/\">Jesus Week<\/a> <\/em>is an unintentional preamble to the upcoming conclave. It lays out the pure and undiluted Gospel, which is the heart of the mission of the Church in every generation. Everything the Catholic Church possesses today \u2014&nbsp;the development of the &#8220;deposit of faith&#8221;, her rich spiritualities, her diverse liturgies, her charisms and ministries, the catalogue of saints and martyrs&#8230; all flows from this central mission to &#8220;make disciples of all the nations.&#8221;<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Matt 28:19-20<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> <em>This is why the Church exists<\/em>.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">&#8220;Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity.&nbsp;<em>She exists in order to evangelize<\/em>, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ\u2019s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection.&#8221;&nbsp;\u2014POPE ST. PAUL VI,&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/paul-vi\/en\/apost_exhortations\/documents\/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html\">Evangelii Nuntiandi<\/a>, n. 14<\/em><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> It is to this mission that every future pope must commit himself wholeheartedly: the mission to follow Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Mission of Faithfulness<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, whoever is chosen to succeed Francis has but one great commission before him: faithfulness to the Master. In the words of the late pope:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>The Pope, in this context, is not the supreme lord but rather the supreme servant \u2014 the \u201cservant of the servants of God\u201d; the guarantor of the obedience and the conformity of the Church to the will of God, to the Gospel of Christ, and to the Tradition of the Church, putting aside every personal whim, despite being \u2014 by the will of Christ Himself \u2014 the \u201csupreme Pastor and Teacher of all the faithful\u201d and despite enjoying \u201csupreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church\u201d.<\/strong> \u2014POPE FRANCIS, closing remarks on the Synod;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/pope-francis-closing-synod-speech-received-with-standing-ovation-92979\/\"><em>Catholic News Agency<\/em><\/a>, October 18th, 2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, everything that has been handed on in Sacred Tradition is the <em>divine food<\/em> with which Jesus asks the pope to &#8220;feed My sheep&#8221; and &#8220;strengthen your brothers.&#8221;<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Luke 22:32<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> Thus&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>The pope isn\u2019t an absolute sovereign, whose thoughts and desires are law. On the contrary, the ministry of the pope is the guarantor of the obedience toward Christ and His word.<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014POPE BENEDICT XVI, Homily of May 8, 2005; San Diego Union-Tribune<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps this sheds light on what else Jesus said that day on the beach to Peter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.<\/strong> (John 21:18)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, in these aging years of the papacy, a man is chosen in the conclave by his confr\u00e8res. He is dressed in a garment that he may not personally ever choose, that of the Vicar of Christ. And he may be led where he does not want to go: the public responsibility of shepherding the universal Church, not just his own little parish or diocese. It is a call to become the servant of servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>\u2018No slave is greater than his master.\u2019 If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours.<\/strong> (John 15:20)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52423\" style=\"width:360px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Pope-Faithfulness.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Yet, all of this is still an invitation from Jesus to simply &#8220;Follow Me.&#8221; Thus, leading the Catholic Church as its chief shepherd should, in some ways, be one of the <em>easiest<\/em> jobs on earth. For the Pope doesn&#8217;t have to be the great inventor; he is not called to change teaching, to make it more palatable by watering it down, to add to Sacred Tradition or take away from it. He is called to simply be faithful to the Gospel which has been handed down to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed!<\/strong> (Galatians 1:8)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pope, alongside his brethren bishops, is to proclaim the Gospel with a &#8220;new ardor&#8221;, as St. John Paul II would say. To &#8220;be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.&#8221;<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">2 Timothy 4:2<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> Of course, as Pope St. Paul VI said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses\u2026. \u2014<em><a href=\"https:\/\/w2.vatican.va\/content\/paul-vi\/en\/apost_exhortations\/documents\/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html\">Evangelii Nuntiandi<\/a>,&nbsp;<\/em>n. 76<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To follow Jesus is indeed to follow in His footsteps of being <em>authentic. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8230;to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy<\/strong> (Romans 1:7)<strong>&#8230; be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.<\/strong> (Matthew 5:48)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a pope <em>wants<\/em> to begin a revolution, may it be the revolutionary force that holiness always is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>It is not enough to update pastoral techniques, organize and coordinate ecclesial resources, or delve more deeply into the biblical and theological foundations of faith. What is needed is the encouragement of a new &#8220;ardor for holiness&#8221; among missionaries and throughout the Christian community, especially among those who work most closely with missionaries.<\/strong> \u2014POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II,&nbsp;<em>Redemptoris Missio,&nbsp;<\/em>n. 90<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who&#8217;d Be the Best Pope?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>If we were to choose the first pope 2000 years ago, perhaps some may have pushed for St. John. After all, he was the contemplative who leaned upon the breast of Christ. He was the only Apostle to remain beneath the foot of the Cross. He also penned four of the books of the New Testament. Or maybe some would promote Matthew, not only for his spontaneous conversion and obedience, but clear historical knowledge and grasp of Christ&#8217;s life. And yet&#8230; it was <em>Simon<\/em> whom Jesus chose \u2014 a man whose passions and compulsion often led the moment to the point of needing rebuke and correction, not only by Jesus on several occasions,<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_6');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_6');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_6\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Matt 16:23, John 13:8-10, Matt 26:52<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> but by St. Paul.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_7');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_7');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[7]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_7\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Gal 2:11-14<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While still a cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) was asked on Bavarian television in 1997:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">\u201cIs the Holy Spirit responsible for the election of a pope?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">His reply might surprise some:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>\u201cI would not say so, in the sense that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope\u2026 I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather, like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit\u2019s role should be understood in a much more elastic sense\u2014not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined\u2026 There are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit obviously would not have picked!\u201d <\/strong>\u2014May 5, 2025,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecatholicherald.com\/does-the-holy-spirit-choose-the-pope-pope-benedicts-surprising-answer\/#:~:text=His%20reply%20might%20surprise%20some,freedom%2C%20without%20entirely%20abandoning%20us.\"><em>The Catholic Register<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That opinion likely never changed as Benedict XVI would later say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>The post-Pentecost Peter\u2026 is that same Peter who, for fear of the Jews, belied his Christian freedom&nbsp;<\/b>(Galatians 2 11\u201314)<b>; he is at once a rock and a stumbling-block. And has it not been thus throughout the history of the Church that the Pope, the successor of Peter, has been at once&nbsp;<em>Petra&nbsp;<\/em>and&nbsp;<i>Skandalon <\/i>\u2014 both the rock of God and a stumbling block?<\/b>&nbsp;\u2014POPE BENEDICT XIV, from&nbsp;<i>Das neue Volk Gottes<\/i>, p. 80ff<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Conclave-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52435\" style=\"width:342px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Conclave-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Conclave-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Conclave-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Conclave-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Conclave.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In that regard, we as Catholics ought to pray that the Holy Spirit lead the Conclave to choose the man that <em>God&#8217;s will<\/em> deigns for this hour. He may not at all be whom we, the laity, would choose on the natural plane. He might be for some a rock, and others, indeed, a stumbling stone. He might be the leader we need&#8230; or the &#8220;king we deserve.&#8221;<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_8');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_8');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[8]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_8\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">cf. 1 Sam 8:18<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> Regardless, Christ&#8217;s promise has held for 2000 years, and will continue to hold until the end of time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.<\/strong> (Matthew 16:18)<strong><br><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The building of the Church depends not upon pope or prince, but the Lord himself.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_9');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_52411_1('footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_9');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_9\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[9]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_9\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">see <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/jesus-the-wise-builder\/\">Jesus, the Wise Builder<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_9').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_52411_1_9', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> <\/p>\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.<\/strong> (Romans 8:28)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:68px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">So grateful for your prayers and support.<br \/>\nThank you!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/donations\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Donateovalbtnonbeige.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"48\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">To journey with Mark in\u00a0<strong><em>The <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Now Word<\/strong><\/em>,<em><br \/>\n<\/em>click on the banner below to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\">subscribe<\/a>. <br \/>\nYour email will not be shared with anyone.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-300x98.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-768x250.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Now on Telegram. Click:<br \/>\n<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/thenowword\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-46727\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram-.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"55\" height=\"56\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram-.png 500w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram--300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram--150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 55px) 100vw, 55px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Follow Mark and the daily &#8220;signs of the times&#8221; on MeWe:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mewe.com\/group\/6001b664d73c61322e27a39c\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-44298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-1024x424.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-768x318.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-1536x636.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-640x265.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nFollow Mark\u2019s writings here:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mewe.com\/p\/thenowword\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-48548\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update.jpg 1880w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-300x101.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-1024x345.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-768x259.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-1536x518.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Listen on the following:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thenoword.buzzsprout.com\"><br \/>\n<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/thenoword.buzzsprout.com\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/buzzsprout3-cutout.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"43\" \/><\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-now-word\/id1519573192?uo=4\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/apple-podcasts2-cutout.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"162\" height=\"42\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6sXnpNwaMtd5ja4MyA1YgX\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-43899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"42\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts.png 740w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-300x77.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-640x163.png 640w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-720x189.png 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 164px) 100vw, 164px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_52411_1();\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_52411_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_52411_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_52411_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_1');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">cf. Matt 28:19-20<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_2');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Matt 28:19-20<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_3');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">&#8220;Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity.&nbsp;<em>She exists in order to evangelize<\/em>, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ\u2019s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection.&#8221;&nbsp;\u2014POPE ST. PAUL VI,&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/paul-vi\/en\/apost_exhortations\/documents\/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-nuntiandi.html\">Evangelii Nuntiandi<\/a>, n. 14<\/em><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_4');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Luke 22:32<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_5');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">2 Timothy 4:2<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_6');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>6<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Matt 16:23, John 13:8-10, Matt 26:52<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_7');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>7<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Gal 2:11-14<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_8');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>8<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">cf. 1 Sam 8:18<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_52411_1_9\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_52411_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_52411_1_9');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>9<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">see <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/jesus-the-wise-builder\/\">Jesus, the Wise Builder<\/a><\/em><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_52411_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_52411_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_52411_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_52411_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_52411_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_52411_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_52411_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_52411_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_52411_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_52411_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_52411_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_52411_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - 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