Careerism and a drive to seek power in the Church are sins as old as the Church itself, Pope Francis said in his homily at Mass May 21.

Commenting on the day’s Gospel passage – Mark 9.30-37 – the pope said that while Jesus is talking about his upcoming passion and death, the disciples are arguing over who is the greatest among them.

“The struggle for power in the Church isn’t something recent,” the pope said.

Such struggles “should not exist,” because Jesus’ whole life and death teach his followers that greatness is measured by humility and service.

“He lowered himself to the point of death, death on a cross, for us, to serve us, to save us,” he said.