Bridge over troubled water

Simon and Garfunkel could have scored Pope Leo XIV’s first greeting from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica yesterday.

Three times during his brief initial address, the brand new pontiff referenced bridges. Nine times he used the word peace.

Our troubled world could use more leaders who aim to be bridges, whose greetings lead with peace,

“We are all in the hands of God,” he said. “Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.”

Let’s go!

I don’t know much about our new pope. Until yesterday, I’d never heard of him. I understand he’s a Sox fan. I can only hope that he, like God, is a Packer fan as well.

I just really love that he led with peace, that he wants to build a missionary church “open to all who need our charity, our pesence, dialogue, love.”

I have high hopes that he, like his mentor Pope Francis, will lead our church with compassionate strength, and that he’ll help build a universal bridge to peace.