In writing to the pope on behalf of the PC(USA), Parsons and Presa are calling upon Presbyterians to join with their sisters and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church in praying for the newly elected Pope Francis I, and wishing him the fullness of God’s grace as he begins this new ministry.
“Recognizing the challenges within the Roman Catholic Church and the world, these are challenging times to be called into leadership,” Parsons said. “We commend the cardinals for their election of the first pontiff from the Americas—particularly Latin America—to lead the worldwide communion of Catholics. We pray and trust that the humility and grace which have marked his leadership in Argentina will touch the whole of the Roman church, the wider Christian community and whole human family.”