For the past couple of days our eyes were focused on a chimney, the size of a pencil, the further away you got from the chimney, the smaller and skinnier that chimney looked. I speak of the chimney over the Sistine Chapel as the 133 Cardinal electors gathered in conclave to elect a new Pope, a Pope to succeed Peter, a Pope to follow Pope Francis. And then the smoke turned white and our eyes turned from the chimney to the central balcony window of St Peters Basilica. And at 7.23pm on Thursday evening out walked Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost OSA, our new Pope Leo XIV.
Peace is key and his opening words said everything: “Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God … This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and persevering peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions … We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward … We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love”.
Many of us might reasonably ask, who is he? He is the first Augustinian Pope, the second from the Americas after Pope Francis. An American who is 69 years old who spent two decades as a missionary in Peru. Born in Chicago, Illinois to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent and Mildred Martinez of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martin and John Joseph. He was ordained in 1982.
In addition to holding many leadership roles in the Augustinian Order, including two periods as Prior General in 2001 and 2007. Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo, ordained Titular Bishop of the Diocese Sufar by Apostolic Nuncio James Patrick Green, taking as his motto: “In Illo uno unum” from Psalm 127 “in the one Christ we are one”. He was Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 – 2023. In 2023 the Pope called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was created a Cardinal in September 2023. He has worked in three continents, so he is a global Pope, who takes his name following Pope Leo XIII, the great social Pope, the pioneer of Catholic Social Teaching.
In electing of an Augustinian as Pope, brings to mind the appointment of the Augustinian James Warren Doyle, better known as JKL, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin from 1786-1834, a great campaigner for Catholic Emancipation, until it was attained in 1829, also an educator, reformer and builder of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow.
May Pope Leo XIV have all the graces he needs to be the courageous and gentle shepherd we need. He can be assured of our blessings, prayers and good wishes.
St. Augustine, pray for us.
St. Monica, pray for us.
St. Conleth, pray for us.
St. Brigid, pray for us.
St. Laserian, pray for us.
Holy Spirit, once again You have spoken.
Through the voices of human beings
You have chosen Pope Leo XIV to guide us.
We pray that You will guide him.
Help him in his service to You, the Church, and the world.
Help him offer a beacon of love
To those searching for hope
Amidst the chaos of our changing planet.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.