Catholic Health Association Offers Prayers and Support to Pope Francis 

The United States Catholic health ministry extends to His Holiness Pope Francis our prayers and support as he brings his gift of spiritual leadership to the work of guiding our Church.

Pope Francis has spent his life understanding and prophetically addressing poverty, helping those in need and showing through community action and pastoral grace his respect for life, human dignity, and justice.

As Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis said we need "to change the structural causes and personal or corporate attitudes that give rise to [poverty], and through dialogue reach agreements that allow us to transform this painful reality."

The Catholic health ministry stands in solidarity with Pope Francis as he leads the important mission of transforming lives and communities through prayer and action. 

May God bless Pope Francis, the apostolates of the Church, and all the people we serve.

A Prayer of Thankfulness for the Election of Pope Francis 

Lord God, we offer our joyful prayers in thanksgiving for our Holy Father Francis, Vicar of Christ and Servant of the servants of God.

In Pope Francis we recognize the successor to Peter, the touchstone for the mission of the Church.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will strengthen him to be a messenger of love, peace and unity.

We give thanks for the many gifts of the new Shepherd of our church.

May he please you in his holiness and guide his flock with love and watchful care, especially for the sick, the poor and the vulnerable.

We greet him joyfully and pledge our love and support for him.

With him, we accept the invitation to spread the Good News of the Gospel in word and action.

We offer our prayer through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.