Argentina: Celebrating Pope Francis' 10th anniversary

Pope Francis, Credit: Wikipedia

The Argentine Bishops' Conference has invited the country's Catholics to celebrate "with joy and fervour" the 10th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, then archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pontiff on 13 March 2013. He is the first Latin American pope.

The bishops encourage dioceses to join in celebrations and plan their own commemorative initiatives between 11-19 March. Parishes, cathedrals, and Marian shrines are urged to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving, to renew their "joy for the ministry of Francis" and to pray for his pastoral service. The bishops note that "profound affection" is not only shared by members of the Catholic Church but also "by a huge number of people, believers and nonbelievers, who value his leadership."

Celebrations in the UK marking the 10th anniversary include a study day exploring Pope Francis' theology, ecclesiology and ethics at the Margaret Beaufort Institute, Cambridge, on 18 March. It will focus on mission and spirituality in the Pontificate of Pope Francis (with references to 'Evangelii Gaudium' and 'Gaudete et Exsultate') and his perspective on ethics (with references to 'Amoris Laetitia', 'Laudato Si'' and 'Fratelli Tutti') and be led by Dr Peter Coughlan and Dr Anna Abram.