We have a pope!
CNEWA gives thanks to God and the prompting of the Holy Spirit as we rejoice in the election of Pope Leo XIV. We assure him of our prayers and our loyalty as we strive, following his words, to dedicate our mission in promoting the peace of the Risen Christ.
“Peace be with all of you,” said the new pope as he stepped onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica about an hour after the world learned of the papal election.
“Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for God’s flock.
“I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, to reach all people, wherever they may be, all peoples, the whole earth.
“Peace be with you.
“This is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. It comes from God — God who loves all of us unconditionally.
“Our ears still echo with the faint yet always courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome. The pope who blessed Rome and gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world, on Easter morning. Allow me to continue that same blessing.
“God cares for us. God loves you all, and evil will not prevail. We are all in God’s hands.
“Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand, with God and with one another, let us go forward. We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him, as the bridge to reach God and his love. Help us — and then help one another — to build bridges, through dialogue, through encounter, uniting as one people, always in peace.
“Thank you to Pope Francis. I also want to thank all the brother cardinals who chose me to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a church united, always seeking peace and justice, always seeking to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries….
“To the church of Rome, a special greeting. We must seek together to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, which fosters dialogue, always open to receiving everyone, like this square, with its arms open to everyone — everyone who needs our charity, our presence, our dialogue, our love.
“And if you’ll allow me also a word, a greeting to everyone there, especially to my beloved Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people, together with their bishop, have shared their faith and given so much to continue being a church faithful to Jesus Christ.
“To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the entire world, we want to be a synodal church, a church that journeys, a church that always seeks peace, always seeks charity, always strives to be close to people — especially to those who suffer.
“Today is the feast of Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close. To help us with her intercession and her love. So, I would like to pray with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, but also for the entire church, for peace in the world, and let us ask this special grace from Mary, our mother.”
CNEWA commits itself to advancing justice and peace for all, building bridges among all peoples through a culture of dialogue and welcome to all. We pledge to be in missionary service of love of everyone!
Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari
President, CNEWA & Pontifical Mission