Pope Leo XIV

05-18-2025Pastor's CornerFr. Bob Deehan

While speaking to the College of Cardinals last Saturday in his first official address since his election, Pope Leo XIV explained his choice of papal name, noting that Pope Leo XIII “addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution” with his encyclical, Rerum Novarum. “In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor.”

He emphasized his commitment to continuing the Church’s path following the Second Vatican Council, specifically highlighting Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) as providing “masterful and concrete” direction. The pope also identified several fundamental principles to guide his pontificate: “the return to the primacy of Christ in proclamation; the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community; growth in collegiality and synodality; attention to the sensus fidei, especially in its most authentic and inclusive forms, such as popular piety; loving care for the least and the rejected; courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world.” (Portions taken from an article by AC Wimmer - Catholic News Agency, May 10, 2025.) As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate in a world and in a Church facing many challenges, I invite you to pray this prayer.

A Prayer for Pope Leo XIV

God of all people, in trust and gratitude, we turn to your Holy Spirit. We know your Spirit has been active during this time of conclave, guiding the prayerful discernment that has brought your Church to this important moment. Now, as Pope Leo XIV assumes the Petrine Ministry, we pray that your Spirit draw ever closer to our new Holy Father, illuminating his path so that he may faithfully see and respond to the needs of your people. We pray that Pope Leo XIV be strengthened in his ministry. May he continue building bridges that connect us to one another. May he be an example of faith, hope and love. We pray that you give him joy in his work and a renewed fervor for your Gospel message. May he never lose sight of Christ who walks before us and among us — particularly in the most vulnerable, the forgotten and the outcast. Christ Jesus, bless Pope Leo XIV — and bless us, your holy people, as together we strive to be your Body in our wounded world. Amen. (Jesuits.org)