With Love From Chapel - summer Term - Week 3

“The new Pope has a degree in mathematics. 

He doesn’t understand sin. 

He understands cos.”

I can only apologise for the joke - blame it on social media - but I could not help but giggle when I read it while trying to find some more sensible information about the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV. 

“Peace be with you!” were his first words to the crowds on St Peter’s Square. Maybe that is not surprising; probably these words have been the opener for most of his 266 predecessors. However, they have a special ring for this new Pope as he steps into a world which is not only full of conflicts, but also full of division and antagonism in parts of the world where we would not have expected it a few years ago. 

“Peace be with you!” in a world where ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ seem to get a new definition every day; and where individuals who are putting their own needs before those of others are praised in a manner that we have not seen for a long time. 

“Peace be with you!” from a man who is hoping to continue a work on reform and liberation, of bringing denominations together and listening to the people. A man who has studied mathematics and has been a teacher and professor of theology. A man who has worked with the poorest and has been outspoken of the need to achieve social justice and fairness for all. 

My guess is that he understands sin very well - both in mathematics and in theology. 

“And also with you!” is the traditional answer to “Peace be with you!” 

It will be exciting to see his efforts to bring peace to the many people all over the world, whether Roman Catholic, who are putting their hopes in him.