Catholic leaders react to election of 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV
By Francesca Merlo
In the hours following the announcement of 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV鈥檚 election as the 267th 杏MAP导航, Church leaders and Catholic organisations from around the world have expressed their joy, hope, and prayerful support for the new Successor of Peter.
South Korea
From the Korean Peninsula, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung, O.C.D. of Seoul welcomed the election with "profound gratitude to God," calling it a moment when "the radiant light of humility and love, truth and justice" can guide the Church forward. He reflected on the significance of the name 鈥淟eo鈥, recalling the legacy of Leo XIII and his emphasis on Catholic social teaching, especially amidst the challenges of modernity, technology, and human dignity. Archbishop Chung concluded by expressing his confidence that 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV "will boldly walk the same path" of pastoral attentiveness, and he invited the faithful to pray for the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 mission.
Peru
The Bishops of Peru shared in this spirit of joy and remembrance. In a message, they celebrated the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 deep ties to their land and people. 鈥淗e strengthened faith with a message attentive to the needs of the humble,鈥 the bishops wrote, recalling his years of missionary service in Peru. 鈥淗is closeness, timely words, and commitment to the most in need have left an indelible mark on our Church.鈥 With gratitude, they concluded: 鈥淟ong live 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV!鈥
Ukraine
From war-torn Ukraine, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, commented on the new 杏MAP导航鈥檚 first words: 鈥淧eace be with you.鈥 These words, he said, 鈥渁re words of hope and of a special divine blessing鈥 for a suffering people. The name Leo, he added, points to a desire to renew the Church鈥檚 doctrine of 鈥渏ust and lasting peace,鈥 one urgently needed today. 鈥淢ay the Lord,鈥 he prayed, 鈥済rant 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV many blessed years of Petrine ministry.鈥
The United States
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, also offered prayers of thanksgiving. Reflecting on 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV鈥檚 international experience and missionary heart, Archbishop Broglio said that, 鈥淐ertainly, we rejoice that a son of this nation has been chosen... but we recognise that he now belongs to all Catholics and to all people of good will.鈥 He praised the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 early calls for 鈥減eace, unity, and missionary activity鈥 and prayed that he might be 鈥渁 watchful and wise shepherd who will confirm us in our faith and fill the world with the hope inspired by the Gospel.鈥
Caritas
Caritas Internationalis, speaking through its President Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi and Secretary General Alistair Dutton, expressed its gratitude and renewed commitment to working with 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV. 鈥淭his is an exciting moment for the Church and for the world,鈥 said Dutton, pointing to the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 apparent concern for 鈥減eace, solidarity, dialogue, and charity.鈥 Cardinal Kikuchi added that 鈥淐aritas is not just a humanitarian organisation; it is a manifestation of God鈥檚 love in action.鈥 They saw in the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 name a call to deepen the Church鈥檚 social apostolate and renew its care for the poor, the earth, and the dignity of every human being.
JRS
Jesuit Refugee Service UK also welcomed the new 杏MAP导航 with particular joy. 鈥淗is message that 鈥楪od loves us all, unconditionally鈥 and the solidarity he has shown to refugees are powerful demonstrations of the Catholic Church鈥檚 place at the side of all those forced to flee their homes,鈥 said David Ryall, Director of JRS UK. The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 long-standing support for migrants and displaced persons was hailed as a sign of hope.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here