Many recent news stories on the papal conclave seem to suppose that a pope has absolute power in ruling the church. Some think Pope Leo XIV can take the church wherever he wants it to go.

 A look at today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles may help us question that view.. Luke sees Peter as leader and spokesman for the Christian community in Jerusalem. He underscores his importance with his description of the miracles Peter performs in Jerusalem and Joppa. They’re like those Jesus performed. He tells a paralyzed man named Aeneas to get up from his bed and he got up at once. He tells a woman named Tabitha who died to rise up and she rose from the dead. (Acts 9: 31-42)

Afterwards, however, Peter is commanded in a vision to baptize a Roman centurion named Cornelius, but he balks at the command. . It’s altogether against what he believes a Jew should do. . 

It’s not for Peter to judge, however. God plan is unfolding, which Peter may not always understand.. Peter is subject to God’s plan. He must follow his Lord. 

A pope does not have absolute power ruling the church. It’s the Church of Jesus Christ and the pope, like Peter, must listen for his voice. 

Our times finds it difficult to believe in God’s presence and guidance in our world. The future is what we decide it will be, whether it’s the future of the world or the future of the church. We think the world is in human hands.

Peter is a good example to consider when we think of the pope. Our readings today describe the miracles he performed, yet the scriptures always remind us of his humanity.  Peter is human. As he himself said: “I am a sinful man.” He doesn’t know everything. Yet, God reveals his plans to him and he must read the signs of the times. 

That’s why we pray today that Pope Leo be a humble holy man.