In his first public words, Pope Leo speaks of that same universal call, from “the God who loves us all unconditionally.” He reminds us to “move forward, without fear, together, hand in hand with God and with one another! We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us.” The Christ who goes before us is the Good Shepherd who gives his life for each one of us. It is precisely from such self-giving love that we are chosen, called and affirmed in life and in our faith and service.
As we go forward in hope and in the integrity of our vocations we strengthen one another. Each vocation faithfully lived out becomes gift in helping us hear God’s call anew each day, we become witnesses to one another, a revelation of fidelity in the whole mosaic of God’s design – each, a part of the whole. Pope Francis left us a reminder that “a vocation is never a treasure stored away in the heart; rather it grows and is strengthened within a community that believes, loves and hopes. No one can respond to God’s call alone, for all of us need the prayers and support of our brothers and sisters.”
