FIRST MESSAGE
OF HIS HOLINESS LEO XIII
AT THE END OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS
IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL


Sunday, 3 March 1878


The noble and affectionate words which your Most Reverend Eminence,¹ in the name of the whole Sacred College, has just addressed to us, deeply touch our heart, already deeply moved by the unexpected event of our exaltation to the supreme pontificate, which has happened without any merit of ours.

The weight of the sovereign keys, already of itself so formidable, which has been imposed upon our shoulders, is rendered heavier still by our littleness, which is overburdened by it.

The very rite which has now been accomplished with so much solemnity has made us understand still more the majesty and height of the see to which we are raised, and has increased in our soul the idea of the greatness of this sublime throne on earth.

And since you, Lord Cardinal, have wished to compare us to David, the words of the same holy king recur spontaneously to our mind when he said: Quis ego sum Domine Deus, quia adduxisti me hucusque? 'Who am I, O Lord God, that Thou hast brought me here?'

Nevertheless, in the midst of so many just reasons for alarm and for comfort, it consoles us to see all Catholics, in unanimous concord, pressing around this apostolic see to give it a public testimony of obedience and of love.

The concord and the affection of all the Sacred College, which is most dear to us, and also the certainty of their co-operation in the fulfilment of the difficult ministry to which their votes have called us, consoles us.

Trust in the most merciful God, who has deigned to raise us to such a height, comforts us; whose assistance we will never cease to implore with all the fervor of our heart; and we desire that by all He may be implored, mindful of that which the apostle says: Our sufficiency is from God.

Persuaded, then, that it is He who selects the weak things of the earth to confound the strong,--infirma mundi eligit ut confundat fortia,--we live in the hope that He will sustain our weakness and raise up our humility, to show forth His power, and to make His strength resplendent.

With all our heart we thank your Eminence for the courteous sentiments and for the sincere wishes which you, in the name of the red College, have addressed to us, and which we accept with our whole soul.

We conclude by imparting with all our heart the apostolic benediction : Benedictio, etc.


LEO XIII


¹ Cardinal Camillo di Pietro. Before the Holy Father's speech, Cardinal di Pietro read an address on behalf of the College of Cardinals.



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