Pope Francis' Message to Archbishop Justin Welby

Vatican City, (Zenit.org) | 1578 hits

Here is the message sent today by Pope Francis to His Grace Justin Welby on the occasion of his enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury and primate of the Anglican Communion.

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To the Most Reverend and Right Honourable

Justin Welby

Archbishop of Canterbury

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you" (1 Pet 1:2b)


I thank you for the kind words contained in your message to me at my election, and I wish in turn to offer my greetings and best wishes on the occasion of your Enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral.

The pastoral ministry is a call to walk in fidelity to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please be assured of my prayers as you take up your new responsibilities, and I ask you to pray for me as I respond to the new call that the Lord has addressed to me.

I look forward to meeting you in the near future, and to continuing the warm fraternal relations that our predecessors enjoyed.


From the Vatican, 18 March 2013

FRANCIS