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HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II
FOR THE BEGINNING OF HIS PONTIFICATE

Sunday, October 22, 1978

 

1. "You are the Christ the Son of the living God"(Mt 16:16).

These words were spoken by Simon son of Jonah in the region of Caesarea Philippi. Yes, he expressed them in his own language, with a deep, lived, heartfelt conviction, but they do not find their source, their source in him: "...for neither flesh nor blood has revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven"(Mt 16:17). These were words of Faith.

They mark the beginning of Peter's mission in salvation history, in the history of the People of God. Since then, from that confession of Faith, the sacred history of salvation and of the People of God was to acquire a new dimension: to express itself in the historical dimension of the Church. This ecclesial dimension of the history of the People of God draws its origins, in fact, from these words of Faith and is connected to the man who uttered them, "You are Peter - rock, stone - and on you, as on a stone, I will build my Church."

2. This day and in this place the same words must again be spoken and heard, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Yes, Brothers and Sons, first of all these words.

Their content discloses to our eyes the mystery of the living God, a mystery that the Son knows and has brought near to us. No one, in fact, has brought the living God closer to men, no one has revealed Him as only He Himself has. In our knowledge of God, in our journey toward God, we are totally bound by the power of these words, "He who sees Me, sees the Father also." He who is Infinite, inscrutable, ineffable made Himself close to us in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary in the stable in Bethlehem.

- All of you who already have the priceless fortune to believe,

- All of you who still seek God,

- And you too tormented by doubt:

Please welcome once again - today and in this sacred place - the words spoken by Simon Peter. In those words is the faith of the Church. In those very words is the new truth, indeed, the ultimate and final truth about man: the Son of the living God. "You are the Christ, Son of the living God!"

3. Today the new Bishop of Rome solemnly begins his ministry and mission of Peter. Indeed, in this City, Peter carried out and fulfilled the mission entrusted to him by the Lord.

The Lord addressed him, saying, "...when you were younger you girded your garment yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird your garment and take you where you do not want to go"(Jn. 21:18).

Peter came to Rome!

What guided and led him to this Urbe, the heart of the Roman Empire, if not obedience to the inspiration he received from the Lord? Perhaps this fisherman from Galilee would not have wanted to come all the way here. Perhaps he would have preferred to stay there, on the shores of Lake Genesaret, with his boat, with his nets. But, guided by the Lord, obedient to his inspiration, he came here!

According to an ancient tradition (which also found its magnificent literary expression in a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz), during Nero's persecution, Peter wanted to leave Rome. But the Lord intervened: he went to meet him. Peter turned to him and asked, "Quo vadis, Domine?" (Where are you going, Lord?). And the Lord immediately answered him, "I am going to Rome to be crucified for the second time." Peter returned to Rome and remained here until his crucifixion.

Yes, Brothers and Sons, Rome is the See of Peter. Over the centuries he has been succeeded in this See by ever new Bishops. Today a new Bishop ascends the Roman Chair of Peter, a Bishop full of trepidation, aware of his unworthiness. And how can we not tremble before the greatness of such a call and before the universal mission of this Roman See!

To the See of Peter in Rome rises today a Bishop who is not Roman. A bishop who is a son of Poland. But from this moment he also becomes Roman. Yes, Roman! Not least because he is the son of a nation whose history, from its earliest beginnings, and whose millennia-old traditions are marked by a living, strong, never-ending, heartfelt and lived bond with the See of Peter, a nation that has always remained faithful to this See of Rome. Oh, inscrutable is the design of divine Providence!

4. In past centuries, when the Successor of Peter took possession of his See, the triregnum, the tiara, was placed on his head. The last person to be crowned was Pope Paul VI in 1963, who, however, after the solemn coronation rite never used the triregnum again, leaving it up to his Successors to decide on the matter.

Pope John Paul I, whose memory is so vivid in our hearts, did not want the triregnum and today his Successor does not. This is not the time, in fact, to return to a rite and to what, perhaps unjustly, has been regarded as a symbol of the temporal power of the Popes.

Our time invites us, urges us, compels us to look to the Lord and immerse ourselves in a humble and devout meditation on the mystery of the supreme power of Christ Himself.

He who was born of the Virgin Mary, the carpenter's Son-as was believed, the Son of the living God, as Peter confessed, came to make us all "a kingdom of priests."

The Second Vatican Council reminded us of the mystery of this power and the fact that Christ's mission-Priest, Prophet-Master, King-continues in the Church. Everyone, the whole People of God is a participant in this threefold mission. And perhaps in the past the triregnum, that threefold crown, was laid on the Pope's head to express through that symbol that the whole hierarchical order of Christ's Church, all its "sacred power" exercised in it is nothing but service, service that has for its purpose only one thing: That the whole People of God be partakers of this threefold mission of Christ and always remain under the Lord's power, which draws its origins not from the powers of this world, but from the heavenly Father and the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection.

The absolute and yet sweet and gentle power of the Lord responds to the whole depths of man, to his highest aspirations of intellect, will and heart. It does not speak with a language of force, but expresses itself in charity and truth.

The new Successor of Peter in the See of Rome today raises a fervent, humble, confident prayer, "O Christ! Grant that I may become and be servant of your unique power! Servant of your sweet power! Servant of your power that knows no sunset! Grant that I may be a servant! Indeed, servant of your servants!"

5. Brothers and Sisters! Do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept His power!

Help the Pope and all those who want to serve Christ and, with Christ's power, serve mankind and all humanity!

Do not be afraid! Open, nay, open wide the doors to Christ!

To its saving power open the borders of states, economic systems as well as political ones, the vast fields of culture, civilization, development. Do not be afraid! Christ knows "what is within man." He alone knows!

Today so often man does not know what he carries inside, deep in his soul, in his heart. So often he is uncertain of the meaning of his life on this earth. He is invaded by doubt that turns into despair. Allow, then -- I beg you, I implore you with humility and with confidence -- allow Christ to speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes! Of eternal life.

Just today the whole Church celebrates its "World Mission Day," that is, prays, meditates, and acts so that Christ's words of life may reach all people and be received by them as a message of hope, salvation, and total liberation.

6. I thank all those present who wished to participate in this solemn inauguration of the ministry of the new Successor of Peter.

I sincerely thank the Heads of State, the Representatives of Authorities, and the Delegations of Governments for their presence which honors me so much.

Thank you, Most Eminent Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church!

I thank you, beloved Brothers in the Episcopate!

Thank you, Priests!

To you Sisters and Brothers, Religious and Religious of Orders and Congregations! Thank you!

Thank you, Romans!

Thank you to the pilgrims who came from all over the world!

Thank you to those who are connected to this Sacred Rite through Radio and Television!

7. Do Was sie zwracam umilowani moi Rodacy, Pielgrzymi z Polski, Bracia Biskupi z Waszym Wspanialym Prymasem na czele, Kaplani, Siostry i Bracia polskich Zakonów - do Was, Przedstawiciele Polonii z calego swiata.

A cóz powiedziec do Was, którzy tu przybyliscie z mojego Krakowa, od stolicy sw. Stanislawa, ktorego bylem niegodnym nastepca przez lat czternascie. Coz powiedziec? Wszystko co bym mogl powiedziec bedzie blade w stosunku do tego, co czuje w tej chwili mofe serce. A takze w stosunku do tego, co czuja Wasze serca.

Wiec oszczedzmy slów. Niech pozostanie tylko wielkie milczenie przed Bogiem, ktore jest sama modlitwa.

Prosze Was! Badzcie ze mna! Na Jasnej Gorze i wszedzie! Nie przestawajcie byc z Papiezem, który dzis prosi slowami poety "Matko Boza, co Jasnej bronisz Czestochowy i w Ostrej swiecisz Bramie"!i do Was kieruie te slowa w takiej niezwyklej chwili.

This was an appeal and an invitation to prayer for the new Pope, an appeal expressed in Polish. With the same appeal I appeal to all the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church. Remember me today and always in your prayers.

Aux catholiques des pays de langue française, j exprime toute mon affection et tout mon dévouement! Et je me permets de compter sur votre soutien filial et sans réserve! Puissiez-vous progresser dans la foi! A ceux qui ne partagent pas cette foi, j'adresse aussi mon salut respectueux et cordial. J'espère que leurs sentiments de bienveillance faciliteront la mission spirituelle qui m'incombe et qui n'est pas sans retentissements sur le bonheur et la paix du monde!

To all of you who speak English I offer in the name of Christ a cordial greeting. I count on the support of your prayers and your good will in carrying out my mission of service to the Church and mankind. May Christ give you his grace and his peace, overturning the barriers of division and making all things one in him.

Einen herzlichen Gruss richte ich an die hier anwesenden Vertreter und alle Menschen aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache. Verschiedene Male - und erst kürzlich durch meinen Besuch in der Bundersrepublik Deutschland - hatte ich Gelegenheit, das segensreiche Wirken der Kirche und Ihrer Gläubigen persönlich kennen und Schätzen zu lernen. Lassen Sie Ihren opferbereiten Einsatz für Christus auch weiterhin fruchtbar werden für die grossen Anliegen und Note der Kirche in aller Welt. Darum bitte ich Sie und empfehle meinen neuen apostolischen Dienst auch Ihrem besonderen Gebet.

Mi pensamiento se dirige ahora hacia el mundo de la lengua española, una porción tan considerable de la Iglesia de Cristo. A vosotros, Hermanos e hijos queridos, llegue en este momento solemne el afectuoso saludo del nuevo Papa. Unidos por los vínculos de una común fe católica, sed fieles a vuestra tradición cristiana, hecha vida en un clima cada vez más justo y solidario, mantened vuestra conocida cercanía al Vicario de Cristo y cultivad intensamente la devoción a nuestra Madre, María Santísima.

Irmaos e Filhos de língua portuguesa: como "servo dos servos de Deus", eu vos saúdo afectuosamente no Senhor. Abenoando-vos, confio na caridade da vossa oraao, e na vossa fidelidade para viverdes sempre a mensagem deste dia e deste rito: "Tu és o Cristo, o Filho de Deus vivo!"

[Omitted, text in Russian].

I open my heart to all the Brethren of the Churches and Christian Communities, greeting, in particular, you who are present here, in anticipation of the next personal meeting; but as of now, I express my sincere appreciation to you for being willing to attend this solemn rite.

And still I address all men, every man (and with what reverence the apostle of Christ must utter this word: man!).

Pray for me!

Help me that I may serve you! Amen.