"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."
- Pope Leo XIV
FSPA welcomes Pope Leo XIV
Today, we're filled with hope as newly elected Pope Leo XIV begins his work for a united Church. FSPA President Sister Sue Ernster had the honor of witnessing this historic moment. "Walking into St. Peter’s Square, I overheard someone say “It’s an Americano.” I arrived just as newly elected Pope Leo XIV was starting to speak. The square was crowded with people of all ages, speaking all languages. It was truly the global church."
Sister Sue met then Cardinal Robert Prevost last year. "After meeting him, I can say that his smile says it all. That’s who he is. He’s genuine. He’s humble. He will call us to be faithful to the Gospel and focused on the margins. As we move into the World Day of Prayer for Vocations this weekend, we pray for Pope Leo XIV. We are blessed to have a pope who is of the people, for the people and with the people."
LCWR 'deeply grateful for his humble acceptance'
With joy, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, of which FSPA is a member, welcomes Pope Leo XIV as the new head of the Catholic Church. We are deeply grateful for his humble acceptance of his election and his willingness to serve the church and the wider world at this critical moment for the global community.
We believe Pope Leo XIV’s experience as the prior general of his Augustinian order, his years as a missionary in Peru, and his ministry as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America combine to give him both the skills and the heart to serve the Catholic Church well throughout the world. He also has the breadth of knowledge and a deep concern for marginalized peoples that will make him a credible moral voice for the larger world.
We were especially heartened to hear in his greetings to the people after his election these words: “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…. To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.”
We look forward to working with Pope Leo XIV towards these important goals which find deep resonance within our own hearts.
Above photo: Sister Sue Ernster's vantage point in St. Peter's Square watching Pope Leo XIV address the crowd. Sister Sue is in Rome for the International Union of Superiors General assembly.