Los Angeles, Calif., Dec 11, 2019 / 15:50 pm
As Pope Francis prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Friday, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. bishop's conference, is asking Catholics throughout the country to pray for the Pope.
"In honor of Pope Francis and in celebration of his service to the Church, I would ask that you consider encouraging the faithful in your dioceses to mark the Holy Father's jubilee with special prayers for him in his priestly ministry," Gomez said in a letter sent to U.S. bishops Dec. 5.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained a priest of the Society of Jesus Dec. 13, 1969, in Buenos Aires. Four years later, he made his final profession of vows, and he was elected to the papacy March 13, 2013.
"May Jesus the High Priest continue to renew, increase, and strengthen in Pope Francis the graces received at his ordination as he continues to carry his priestly ministry in service to our Holy Church," Gomez added.