Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the College of Cardinals prepares to enter into the conclave this week and the world awaits the election of a new Pope, I invite you to join me in offering prayer over the coming days asking the Holy Spirit to pour out an abundance of his gifts upon the Cardinal-electors. May the Holy Spirit strengthen them as they choose a new Holy Father to lead the holy Church on earth.

We unite in prayer to ask God to give His Church a pope who is a man of prayer and holiness, like his predecessors throughout the ages since our Lord entrusted the Church to Peter as with the command, “Tend my sheep.” We pray that the example of the next successor of Peter, and his dedication in guarding the mysteries of the faith, will lead all of us to our one goal, to live with God in heaven.

Please join me this week in offering your daily rosary and personal devotions, Holy Communion at Mass, penances and sacrifices, and adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament for our common intention. Let us together ask the Lord to bestow upon the Cardinals his many graces. Confident in the intercession of Mary, the Holy Mother of God and Mother of the Church, may we soon have a new Holy Father who will shepherd us to life in God.