We bless you Pope Francis!

On behalf of the Pontifical Mission Societies, I join with the entire Church and the world to welcome our new Holy Father, Pope Francis I, chosen as the Successor of Peter, first missionary of the Church. The Keys of St. Peter have been entrusted to our new Holy Father, whom I had the privilege of meeting in 2010. Being in his presence, you know you are close to the Lord.

We pledge our allegiance and our fidelity to Pope Francis and encourage our entire mission family to gather around Him as around the Lord. We are renewed again in our faith in the bark of Peter, the Church. In unity with Pope Francis, we pledge our commitment to bring God’s liberating message of salvation to the ends of the earth, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ to the poor and the lonely, the lost and frightened.

God Bless the Pope and long live the Pope!

Father Andrew Small, OMI
National Director, Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States





En nombre de las Obras Misionales Pontificias, me uno a toda la Iglesia y el mundo en darle la bienvenida a nuestro nuevo Santo Padre, Papa Francisco, elegido como el sucesor de Pedro, el misionero primario de la Iglesia. Las llaves de San Pedro han sido encomendadas a nuestro nuevo Santo Padre, el quien he tenido el privilegio de conocer en el 2010. Estar en su presencia, es saber que estas cerca del Señor.

Comprometemos nuestra lealtad y nuestra fidelidad al Papa Francisco y animamos a toda nuestra familia misionera a reunirse a su alrededor a medida que nos reunimos en torno al Señor. Nos renovamos una vez más en nuestra fe en la barca de Pedro, la Iglesia. En unidad con Papa Francisco, nos comprometemos a llevar el mensaje liberador de salvación de Dios hasta los confines de la tierra, predicando las Buena Nueva de Jesucristo a los pobres y los solitarios, los perdidos y asustados.

¡Dios bendiga al Papa y que viva el Papa!

Padre Andrew Small, OMI
Director Nacional de las Obras Misionales Pontificias en los Estados Unidos

We Love You Holy Father!

Together with you, the family of supporters of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, I offer our prayers and deep affection to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, chief missionary of the Church, as he steps aside from the Chair of Peter into a new life of retirement, of quiet prayer and of continued devotion to the Lord.



When I was introduced to Pope Benedict in 2011, the Pope immediately recognized the tremendous love that American Catholics have for him and for the Church: "Great works," he said to me, smiling, acknowledging the generosity of Catholics here at home for the Church throughout the world.

The Pope's decision to retire is a characteristic act of love for the whole Church, above all else. He has offered us an example of true humility. The consummate teacher, he continues to show us that only in union with Christ are all things possible.

Like St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI has poured out his life in service of God, the Church and the poor. He has not yet run his race to the very end. We pray for him as he enters this next stage of his life. And as we do, we commit ourselves to the ongoing Year of Faith, asking that it may bring renewed energy to the mission of the Church. In this period of transition, we pray for the Church, confident that the Lord remains close to us, now in a special way. God Bless the Pope!

Father Andrew Small, OMI
National Director