Heads of Eastern Catholic Churches will accompany Pope Francis to the gravesite of Peter the Apostle

At the beginning of the Liturgy with which Pope Francis begins his “service as the Bishop of Rome,” the Holy Father, together with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of Eastern Catholic Churches, will proceed to the grave of St. Apostle Peter, according to Vatican Press Service.  Among the ten Primates of Eastern Churches, participating in the procession will also be UGCC Head His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk).

Since the Holy Father is the successor of Peter the Apostle, the Inaugural Liturgy will be closely tied with the place of the martyrdom and burial of the first Pope.  The ceremony will begin under the central altar of the basilica at the grave of St. Apostle Peter and will continue on the square in front of the main entrance to the basilica – the spot which traditionally is acknowledged as the place of the martyr death of Apostle Peter.  Therefore, the Inaugural Liturgy will take place in the center between the places of his burial and his death.

Accompanied by the Heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches, among whom there are four cardinals, the Pope will visit the grave of Peter the Apostle where the main symbols of papal service – the ring and the staff – are preserved.  Afterwards the procession will proceed to the central entrance of the basilica where the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated. Prior to the beginning of the Liturgy, the Pope will receive the ring (the papal ring, this time made in silver, depicts St. Peter with the keys) as well as the staff (the same staff that was used by Pope Benedict XVI).

Concelebrants of the Inauguration Mass will be cardinals, patriarchs and major archbishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Secretary of the College of Cardinals, Monsignor Carballo, two priests from religious orders, and the Superior General of the Jesuit Order, Rev. Nicholas.

The last inaugural ritual will be the so-called “Act of Obedience” pronounced by six cardinals – as representatives of all cardinals–pledging their submission to the Pope.

Reported by Andriy Soletsky