Alleluia! Alleluia!! Our hearts were filled with joy as we heard the words “We have a new Pope!”
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo greeted the people of God with Jesus’ Easter message – Peace be with you! Our hearts are filled with gratitude, believing that Pope Leo will be a pastoral leader whose humility, grace, and courage will inspire hope and joy among all.
Let us pray for Pope Leo using the words of Saint Augustine’s prayer:
Breathe in Pope Leo, Holy Spirit, that his thoughts may all be holy.
Act in him, O Holy Spirit, that his work, too, may be holy.
Draw his heart, O Holy Spirit, that he may love but what is holy.
Strengthen him, O Holy Spirit, so that he may defend all that is holy.
Guard Leo, then, O Holy Spirit, that he may always be holy.
Let us pray for ourselves that we will respond to Pope Leo’s invitation to be builders of bridges of love united in the Love of Christ. May all of us be faithful witnesses to truth, engaged in compassion so that together we may be a unifying presence in our divided world. We ask this through Christ our Lord Amen.
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ
Provincial
Society of the Sacred Heart, United States – Canada Province
