O’Malley: Pope Francis Faces ‘Increasingly Secular Culture’

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston on Wednesday praised the election of Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis I — adding that he comes amid “an increasingly secular culture” in the world.

“At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus commissioned St. Peter the rock upon which the church would be built,” O’Malley, who was rumored to be a leading candidate for the papacy, said in a statement. “Pope Francis continues that mission in an increasingly secular culture, where many people have not come to know or have forgotten that Jesus is our savior and redeemer.

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“The world will greatly benefit from Pope Francis witnessing Jesus’ call for us to love God and love one another.

“We pledge our faithful support for the Holy Father as he leads the church in proclaiming the new evangelization, inviting all people to a develop a closer relationship with Christ and to share that gift with others,” O’Malley said.