Reflections from Rome

I've spent the past 3 days in Rome, blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime: I traveled to Rome with the Governor General as part of the Canadian delegation that attended the Inauguration Mass for Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday.

The trip has been nothing short of amazing and I will be forever transformed by it. 

Here are my blogs from the past weeks:

• Day 1:  The Invitation of a Lifetime
• Day 2:  Rome Sweet Rome 
• Day 3:  My First Time at St. Peter’s Square and the Best Receiving Line Ever
• Day 4:  Reflections on Pope Francis’ Mass of Inauguration: Inside and Atop St. Peter’s Square   
• Day 4:  Photos from the Mass of Inauguration for Pope Francis  

Clayton Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie.  He has served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes develop their own youth and young adult ministries.  When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks.  Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo  

Habemus Papem! We Have a Pope!

Today the Catholic Church named its 266th pope: Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio).  As the clouds of white smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 7:07pm (followed by the ringing of the bells at 7:18am) on March 13, 2013, thousands of people in St. Peter's square and millions watching around the world celebrated the new pope who had been elected on the conclave's fifth ballot.

In a powerful moment, Pope Francis asked the crowd assembled at St. Peter's square to pray to God to bless him before he in turn blessed the people.

Read a great reflection on Pope Francis here (from Catholic Online).

Clayton Imoo is husband to Gail and father to sons Sean Isaiah and Jacob Isaac and daughter Kayla Marie.  He has served as the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver for the past ten years, helping parishes develop their own youth and young adult ministries.  When not doing ministry, Clay enjoys spending time with his family, playing music, playing sports, playing naptime, and writing blogs on topics such as family, faith, and the Vancouver Canucks.  Learn more about him at http://www.claytonimoo.com or follow him @claytonimoo  

Farewell Pope Benedict XVI

Friday, February 28 marks the last day of service for Pope Benedict XVI - the head of the universal Catholic Church.  Pope Benedict XVI was born as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger and he is the Catholic Church's 265th pope.

The role of the Pope, as successor to St. Peter, is to lead the faithful on Earth and to pass on the Faith to the Church.  In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said to Peter, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.”  Thus, it was Christ’s intent to pass on the authority to guide the Church in His name to Peter and the apostles.  Since then, it has been passed down through the centuries.  This is called “apostolic succession.”

Much will be made in the news in the next few weeks as to who will be elected as the next pope.  The papal conclave (a meeting of the College of Cardinals) will begin on the weekend of March 9/10 and thus we there could be a new pope as early as March 11.

In the meantime, here a great blog for young people called "3 Things You Should Know About Pope Benedict XVI" from my friends at lifeteen.com