Pope Francis met with the community of the Argentine Priestly College in Rome at the Vatican on Thursday, sharing advice inspired by the example of Saint Cura Brochero, a patron of the Argentine clergy. The Pope began by expressing his regret that he couldn’t join the priests for Mass or a traditional Argentine barbecue. Still, he acknowledged that his duties as a shepherd sometimes require him to prioritize other responsibilities.
At the heart of his speech, Pope Francis reflected on the “priestly soul” of Saint Cura Brochero, emphasizing the need for priests to firmly assume their priestly identity. He noted that a priest’s vocation is not an appendix or a means to other ends, but rather God’s plan in their life. The Pope encouraged the priests to embrace a life of total dedication to God in the service of others, devoting themselves to the Gospel.
Pope Francis also shared several pieces of advice from Father Brochero, including the importance of fighting against the enemies of the soul with humility and taking care of one’s inner life. He emphasized the value of priestly fraternity, starting with the relationship with the bishop and extending to relationships with brother priests. The Pope concluded by urging the priests to stay close to the Eucharist and never leave it, citing Father Brochero’s example of spending long hours in prayer and celebration.