Ave Maria!
The founder and Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, Fr. Stefano M. Manelli, offers his congratulations to the newly elected Pope Francis, who takes the name of the Saint who from the Crucifix was given the mission to repair the collapsing Church. He prays that the Holy Father may follow in the footsteps of his holy predecessors to guide the flock of Christ and bring all men to eternal salvation with the maternal intercession of Mary and the intercession of his patron, St. Francis.
(Original message in Italian, posted on our site in Italy)
