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A review of this pontificate demonstrates this Pope´s effort to lead Europe to a future which embraces its Christian roots in order to flourish.
CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - Among the Biblical texts most often used to defend the selection of Peter, and His successors, to lead the Church which Jesus founded is this passage from St. Matthews Gospel:
"When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood 12 has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt. 16:13 – 19)
Other translations of the text speak more graphically, using the phrase, the "gates of hell".
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood 12 has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt. 16:13 – 19)
Other translations of the text speak more graphically, using the phrase, the "gates of hell".
How can we forget that Jesus gave Peter the promises of Eternal Life for His Church, assuring him that “The gates of Hell will not prevail over her?” (Mat 16:18). In addition, how can we ignore Mary’s prophecy in Fatima, “In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph”?
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