The Prelate of Opus Dei, Mons. Echevarría: Pope Francis, “an authentic priest, who prays and knows how to listen”
Pope Francis is an “authentic priest who prays much and knows how to listen”, as defined the Prelate of Opus Dei, Mons. Javier Echevarría, opening a Convention celebrated at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in honor of the centenary of Mons. Álvaro del Portillo’s birth, first Grand Chancellor of the University
Marking the anniversary of the Pontificate, Mons. Javier Echevarría said that the example of Pope Francis is an “incentive to ensure that all Christians strive to bring the love and mercy of Jesus to the last corner of the world”. He then added that “it is also natural to cultivate the desire to thank Pope Francis for the apostolic dynamism that is spreading and for his genuine interest to stay close to every person”.
The prelate of Opus Dei continued that “many people have recognized in Pope Francis the authentic priest, who prays much and who knows how to listen to those he encounters. All this is a source of great filial joy and of profound gratitude to God”.
Linking the anniversary of Pope Francis’ election with the figure of Mons. Álvaro del Portillo, first successor to San Josemaría the founder of Opus Dei, he recalled that a central aspect of his preaching was precisely fidelity to the Church and love for the Pope. “Everywhere he went, Mons. Álvaro del Portillo always asked one to pray for the intentions of the Roman Pontiff. He was always guided by the desire to bring ‘Rome to the outskirts’, and the ‘outskirts to the Pope’, as San Josemaría wrote".
