POPE LEO XIV: A SHEPHERD OF PEACE AND MISSION

HABEMUS PAPAM! WE HAVE A POPE!

As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out on 7 May 2025, the world turned its gaze toward Vatican City. The long-anticipated Conclave had begun. After the solemn Mass, 133 Cardinals dressed in red, processed into the Sistine Chapel to elect the 267th Successor of St. Peter. All eyes were fixed on the chimney, waiting for the signal - white smoke - to declare to the world: Habemus Papam! We have a pope!

I was up until midnight on 8 May, waiting to hear the historic announcement of a new pope, but unfortunately, I fell asleep before it happened! When I woke up for my morning Mass, the announcement had already been made. I quickly checked the news before my Mass. I was very happy to share the news with the morning Mass congregation, using the prayers for the newly elected pope. I was moved by the few words he said from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance, addressing the crowd with “peace be with all of you.” He focused on peace everywhere and said, “Evil will not prevail; we are in the hands of God. Without fear, united with God and one another, we go forward.” He encouraged everyone to move forward with a missionary spirit to build bridges and to welcome everyone with open arms.

In a historic first, Cardinal Robert Prevost from the United States is now Pope Leo XIV. His choice of name reminds us of Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903. Pope Leo XIII published an encyclical on “Rerum Novarum” (Capital and Labour), which laid the foundation for modern Catholic Social Teaching. This encyclical championed the dignity of work, the rights of workers and justice for the marginalised. Leo XIII focused the Church’s concern on the suffering of many people, rather than just the privileged few. Many popes have continued to walk this path.

Pope Leo XIV - Robert Francis Prevost - from the Augustinian Order, spent nearly four decades ministering in one of the poorest regions of Peru, where many people are unemployed, and the infrastructure is inadequate. Both former Pope Francis and the new pope care deeply about helping ordinary people, especially the poor. The new pope is known for his humility and understanding of the needs of less fortunate people.

We celebrate the election of our new shepherd. Let us pray to Mother Mary, a model of humility and faith. Just as she responded to God’s call, may we respond to this moment with joy and open hearts. The Mother Church welcomes her new Holy Father and continues to guide us with care and truth. As her children, we move forward together under the protection of Mary, inspired by the legacy of the saints, and renewed in our mission to be a Church for the poor, by the poor, and with the poor.

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church,

pray for Pope Leo XIV and for all of us, your children.

Habemus Papam. Deo gratias!