This is me, a sinner on whom the Lord has turned his gaze. And

Hear the humble confession of Pope Francis, who declared upon his election: “This is me, a sinner on whom the Lord has turned His gaze. And this is what I said when they asked me if I would accept my election as pontiff. I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.” These are not words of triumphal pride, but of trembling humility, for they remind us that even the greatest shepherds of the Church are men, and every man is first a sinner in need of grace.

The ancients understood that humility is the crown of the righteous. Kings who believed themselves gods—Pharaoh, Nero, and others—were cast down, their arrogance consumed in the fires of history. But David, though he sinned greatly, found favor with the Lord because he repented with a broken heart. So too Francis, at the height of his elevation, did not clothe himself in grandeur, but in the garment of penitence, confessing before all that his strength lay not in himself, but in the mercy and patience of Christ. This is the origin of his words: the tradition of the saints, who counted themselves the least, so that God might be magnified.

To be called pontiff, the bridge between heaven and earth, is a weight too great for mortal shoulders. The acceptance of such a role must be rooted not in pride but in surrender. Francis’ answer mirrors the words of St. Augustine, who confessed, “My heart is restless until it rests in You.” It reflects also the cry of St. Peter, who fell at Christ’s feet and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Yet Christ did not depart—He called Peter, as He called Francis, to tend the flock despite their unworthiness. The greatness of the calling lies not in the man, but in the One who calls.

Consider, too, the story of Gregory the Great, who, when chosen as pope, fled into hiding, overwhelmed by the burden of the office. Only when compelled by the will of the people and the hand of Providence did he accept, and his papacy became a beacon of reform and charity. Like Gregory, Francis understood that to accept was not to exalt himself, but to embrace a cross. His words—“I accept in a spirit of penance”—show that leadership in the Church is not glory, but sacrifice.

The deeper meaning of Francis’ confession lies in his reliance on divine patience. For Christ Himself bore with His disciples, teaching them though they were slow to understand, forgiving them though they faltered. That same patience is offered to every sinner who dares to rise again after falling. Francis did not claim strength of his own, but trusted in this infinite patience, knowing that in weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. This is the true foundation of Christian hope: not our merit, but His mercy.

The lesson for us, children of faith, is clear. We must not wait to be without sin before we serve, nor must we despair of our weakness. Like Francis, we are called to confess our brokenness, to trust in the mercy of God, and to act—not in pride, but in penance. Each of us, in our homes, in our work, in our communities, may carry out small acts of shepherding, guiding others not by perfection but by love. For the Lord does not call the flawless; He calls the willing.

Practical actions lie before you: practice humility daily, acknowledging your limits before God. Do not despise yourself for being a sinner, but repent and rise again, trusting in divine patience. When you are asked to serve, do not refuse out of unworthiness, but accept with a spirit of penance, offering your labor as a sacrifice. And always remember: leadership in the way of Christ is not about power, but about bearing the burdens of others.

Thus let Pope Francis’ words endure as a guiding star: “I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ.” For this is the heart of the Gospel, the origin of all true service: that God chooses the lowly, the flawed, and the penitent, and through them reveals His glory. And so may we, too, walk in humility, serve in love, and trust always in His gaze of mercy.