The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia is a Roman Catholic apostolic vicariate located in the United Arab Emirates. It is a territorial jurisdiction of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church covering the following countries of the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding region: Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. » read more.
The change on the Apostolic See of Rome during this “Year of Faith” is a good and appropriate occasion to share with you a meditation which relates to the ministry of Peter as the one who strengthens us in faith. On the evening of the Last Supper, according to Luke’s gospel, Jesus addresses Simon Peter: “I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:32).
View the video of the Bishop introducing the Pastoral Letter.
Vatican, 13 March 2013 — Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the 266th and current pope of the the Universal Church. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was ordained as a priest in 1969. In 1998 he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, and in 2001 a cardinal. Following the resignation of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, on 28 February 2013, the conclave elected Bergoglio, who chose the papal name Francis in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is both the first Jesuit pope and the first pope from the Americas. He is also the first pope from outside Europe since Pope Gregory III in the 8th century. Bergoglio entered the Society of Jesus on 11 March 1958. In 1967, Bergoglio finished his theological studies and was ordained to the priesthood on 13 December 1969.
Bergoglio was named Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and was ordained on 27 June 1992 as Titular Bishop of Auca, with Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, serving as principal consecrator. Bergoglio succeeded Cardinal Quarracino as Archbishop of Buenos Aires on 28 February 1998 and was concurrently named ordinary for Eastern Catholics in Argentina, who had lacked their own prelate. At the consistory of 21 February 2001, Archbishop Bergoglio was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II with the title of cardinal-priest of San Roberto Bellarmino.
Cardinal Bergoglio became known for personal humility, doctrinal conservatism and a commitment to social justice. A simple lifestyle contributed to his reputation for humility. He lived in a small apartment, rather than in the palatial bishop's residence. He gave up his chauffeured limousine in favor of public transportation and cooked his own meals.