Bishop Robert Barron(@BishopBarron):Friends, when Pope Benedict XVI first appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s after his election, Cardinal Francis George had a remarkably pensive expression. When he was later asked about it, he said, “I was thinking about Rome and all the Roman emperors who lived over on the Palatine Hill. And then I was wondering, Where are they? Where are the Roman emperors? Where’s the successor of Julius Caesar or Augustus Caesar? They’re nowhere. The whole thing has turned to dust. But the successor of Peter, mysteriously, is right next to me waving at the crowds.”

2026.08.25 15:59

Friends, when Pope Benedict XVI first appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s after his election, Cardinal Francis George had a remarkably pensive expression. When he was later asked about it, he said, “I was thinking about Rome and all the Roman emperors who lived over on the Palatine Hill. And then I was wondering, Where are they? Where are the Roman emperors? Where’s the successor of Julius Caesar or Augustus Caesar? They’re nowhere. The whole thing has turned to dust. But the successor of Peter, mysteriously, is right next to me waving at the crowds.”

4.3K

455

Forward to community

Most Popular Users