In a moving ceremony held at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis ordained eleven new priests this Sunday, urging them to live out their vocation in close contact with the people, avoiding isolation and any sense of privilege. “The clergy must be connected to real people,” the Pontiff reminded, warning that “self-centeredness extinguishes the fire” of the priestly mission.
Seven of the newly ordained priests were trained at the Pontifical Major Seminary, while four were formed at the Redemptoris Mater College. Their ordination was rich in symbolic gestures and deep spirituality.
The liturgy began with the candidates dressed entirely in white, each called by name. In response, they all answered: “Here I am.” Cardinal Vicar of Rome, Baldassare Reina, then addressed the Holy Father to formally request their ordination as presbyters.
“Are you sure they are worthy?” the Pope asked. “Based on information gathered from the Christian community and the judgment of those responsible for their formation, I can confirm they are worthy,” Reina replied.
Following the papal homily, the candidates made their vows and knelt before Pope Francis to promise “filial respect and obedience” to him and his successors. They then prostrated themselves before the papal altar—erected over what tradition holds to be the burial site of St. Peter—while the assembly chanted the Litany of the Saints.
The rite concluded with the investiture of the stole and chasuble, followed by a silent prayer during which the Pope laid his hands on the heads of each new priest. He then anointed their palms with holy chrism, and each received a fraternal embrace and the kiss of peace, formally marking their entry into the priesthood.
