[Acts 5:27b-32, 40b-41; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19]

Now, there is an empty seat in Rome. We don’t know who will fill it, for the moment, only God knows for sure. The men charged with identifying the next successor of Peter would do well to look at the Gospel used today; for within this Gospel is the job description for the Pope.

Firstly, he is to be a man who obeys the Lord; despite having an unsuccessful night fishing, Peter still obeyed when Jesus said, ‘cast the net on the right side of the boat’. Next, he will have to get out of the boat occasionally, step away from his comfort zone. When Peter was made aware that the stranger on the shore was Jesus, he made himself presentable and stepped out of the boat making his way to the Lord.

Next the new Pope will have to bring new people to the Lord; as Peter was made a fisher of men, so too will the new Pope be expected to bring his catch to the Lord; neither should he be afraid of overfilling the net, the Lord will make sure there is enough room for everyone. God’s net will never burst.

The new Pope should be a man who has experienced God’s forgiveness; for by receiving God’s forgiveness, he will be more grateful of God’s mercy and become a dispenser of that same mercy. When Jesus asked Peter three times ‘Do you love me?’ He was forgiving Peter’s three denials during the Passion of the Lord. Not only that, but He was also commissioning Peter to look after the flock chosen by God and put into his care. Peter was being chosen to be Christ’s shepherd and with that came responsibility. So, the new man will need to be a good shepherd; feeding the lambs, those young in faith and those young in age; tending the sheep, those who are already part of the flock need to be looked after; and, feeding the sheep, a recognition by Jesus that we all need to be fed. The new Pope will be expected to provide a rich diet to suit most pallets, whether they are seen as Liberal or Conservative within the Church. Peter was tasked to lead one flock and make decisions for the common good. The new Pope will be a voice for the whole world, a man who seeks peace and who speaks up for those whose voice goes unheard.

Like Peter, the new Pope will be giving up his freedom. He may have to go to places he would rather not. He will most probably have to speak with people he would rather not as well; as Peter’s successor, this is all part of the role. But the last words in today’s Gospel spoke loudly to Peter and the disciples and should speak loudly to us as well. They are quite simply to ‘follow me’. As a sheep knows and listens to its master’s voice and follows that voice, so too, should we listen for our Master’s voice and follow.

At this time when the Chair is empty, we all need to pray for those charged with identifying the next Pope; that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit, and we need to pray that whoever emerges on the balcony to the words of Habemus Papam, is a man of prayer, a man of service, a man of love and a good shepherd.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

Third Sunday of Easter

CCC 642-644, 857, 995-996: the apostles and disciples as witnesses of the Resurrection
CCC 553, 641, 881, 1429: the risen Christ and Peter
CCC 1090, 1137-1139, 1326: the heavenly liturgy

Please keep in your prayers this week

  • The sick and housebound, those who are dying and those who are grieving.
  • Father Jean-Patrice that he makes a full recovery.
  • The continued fight to protect all life from conception until natural death.
  • The Cardinals of the Church that they will make all decisions related to the new Pope in a prayerful way and that they can discern the will of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon Tony, 3rd May 2025