A Prayer for the Pope

Dear Father,
watch over and protect our Holy Father,
the Pope.
Give him
strength to bear the burdens of his office,
patience to endure any hardships,
courage to make hard decisions,
and serenity to dwell always in your peace.
May he always approach your altar
with complete love, fidelity and hope,
a true model for deacons:
the “servant of the servants of God,”
a figure of steadfast humility.
May he lead your Church with tenderness, mercy and joy,
radiating the love of Christ to an aching, broken world.
Finally, generous Father, be his consolation and his support;
keep him always close to your heart,
that the world may, in turn, be drawn closer to you.
Amen.