In his inaugural address on 19/3/2013, the new pope of Rome Francis finished by praying to the dead. He said: “I implore the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, and Saint Francis that the Holy Spirit may accompany my ministry…” So he thinks that the Holy Spirit is in their gift to do as they please. It would be better to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and man 1Tim 2:5, instead of to those who cannot hear him. Jesus said: “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” Jn 14:16.

In his mass for 23/4/2013, Francis said: “It is not possible to find Jesus outside the Church” and “you cannot believe in Jesus without the Church.” Pity the thief on the Cross who had Jesus beside him but no Church to help him. The apostle Peter had just denied his Lord and was nowhere to be found. Thankfully, Jesus was up to the task and assured him: “Today, you shall surely be with Me in paradise” Lk 23:43.