In the Church, power means service, Pope tells Tuesday congregation

May 21, 2013

"The struggle for power in the Church nothing new," Pope Francis told his congregation at a Mass in Domus Sanctae Marthae on May 21, referring to the Gospel account of disputes among the apostles over the question of who was greatest. But seeking power shows a misunderstanding about the true nature of the Church.

“Real power is service,” the Pope said, pointing out that Jesus “came not to be served but to serve.” Serving others is the only way to further the mission of the Church.”

In fact, the Pope continued, anyone who is given a leadership role in the Church is called to greater service of others. He remarked that Jesus “was ‘promoted’ to the Cross; he was ‘promoted’ to humiliation.”

“That is the real power in the Church,” the Pope concluded. He ended his homily with a prayer that all the faithful might understand “real power in the Church is service.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope at Mass: True power, even in the Church, is in serving others (Vatican Radio)