Habemus Papam! Pope Leo XIV

Habemus Papam!

 

After only 24 hours of the conclave beginning, yesterday evening we saw the white smoke and the exciting news that the cardinals had elected a new Pope to be God’s representative to the faithful on earth.  I’m sure if you watched the coverage you can attest to how special a moment it was, so much joy amongst the crowds in St Peter’s square, great drama as the curtains were pulled back to reveal our new Holy Father.  Habemus Papam!

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, the first from North America, and took the name Leo XIV. At the spring chicken age of 69 years old, we could be blessed with a papacy of Leo XIV for a long time. Whilst being from Chicago, the new Pope has spent most of his ministry either in Peru or Rome. With Italian, French and Spanish heritage he is a great communicator to the whole Church, quite literally, speaking English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French, whilst also being able to read Latin and German! Commentators have queried his choice of not speaking any English in his opening speech and blessing. One wonders whether it was intentional to affirm the aforementioned point.

Key to who Leo XIV is will be his identity as an Augustinian. His high school was a minor seminary run by the Order of St Augustine, so from a young age his spirituality and vocation would have been shaped by the teachings of St Augustine of Hippo. The values of his order, which he led as Prior Provincial for over a decade, emphasise unity, truth and love. He has spent so much of his ministry in Peru as a missionary – teaching in seminary, in service to the communities he was sent out to and as a Bishop shepherding the flock of Christ.

Many are looking at the significance of his choice of name, Leo XIV, and whether it is a sign that he hopes to focus on and continue the work of Leo XIII who devoted his papacy to Catholic Social Teaching. It is surely a sign of a new spiritual leader for the Catholic Church who directs our hearts as Christ would to the poorest and marginalised in society today.

Just as Jesus greeted the disciples after the resurrection with the words “Peace be with you”, so Leo XIV began his papacy by sharing those words and the peace of Christ with each of us. He continued by encouraging all of us, “We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges.” Let us pray that we can be reached by God’s love and that Pope Leo XIV is a bridge to the Father for humanity.

Almighty God,

We pray that Pope Leo may lead the Church with wisdom and compassion and be a sign of God’s love and mercy for all.

We pray that Pope Leo may have the courage to speak the message of the Gospel, bringing hope to those who need it most.

We pray that Pope Leo may bring unity where there is division and peace where there is conflict.

We give thanks for the gift of Pope Leo.

May he witness faithfully to the Gospel, leading with humility and compassion and inspiring all people to be pilgrims of hope.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain