Pledge of Loyalty to the Pope

4 years ago, Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines, introduced a pledge of love and respect towards Pope Francis.  It follows the Credo during the Mass, the Profession of Faith we say after the homily and before the Prayers of the Faithful.  “Loyalty pledges” are not customary in the liturgy; baptisms, weddings and ordinations do include promises, and there are oaths of fidelity to be made upon assuming certain ecclesial offices. Yet a generalized “pledge of loyalty to the Pope” is unusual. However this pledge was introduced and has been used in various dioceses. Here is the pledge as it is recited:

‘Our Love is pledged to Francis, the Vicar of Christ on earth, visible head of the Church, doctor and teacher of all the faithful, guardian of the apostolic tradition. To the Supreme Pontiff of the Church, courageous leader of the nations, the very personification of the spirit of Vatican II and upholder of the dignity of holy priesthood: To you, Pope Francis, we pledge our obedience! To the visible head of the Christian Church, indomitable teacher, leader and father of all the faithful, steadfast in truth in the midst of errors and misunderstanding, unyielding in courage in the midst of danger, and a most reliable beacon of spiritual light and consolation; To you, Pope Francis, we pledge our undying loyalty and filial veneration, now and forever.’