Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I had just finished my homily at the 12:05 PM Mass on Thursday, May 8th when my watch buzzed. I took a quick glance at it and I saw a message from one of our staff members which read: “White smoke!!!” Before starting the preparation of the gifts, I mentioned it to the congregation who burst into spontaneous applause.
After Mass ended I went back to the friary where I made a quick sandwich and then settled in front of the TV in our living room along with Fr. Bill. Finally, the curtains parted and the central door onto the papal balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica opened.
The age-old announcement began. “Habemus Papam!” As the Cardinal continued, it was tricky to hear him clearly. I could only make out the first two names, Robert Francis. It wasn’t until the full name was flashed across the bottom of the screen that the shock registered. We had an American pope! Robert Francis Prevost who had taken the name Leo XIV.
In the days that followed we learned more about the man who had been a missionary and bishop in Peru, the prior general of the Augustinians, and Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He is a graduate of Villanova University, the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. He is a smart, experienced, multilingual person who checked all the boxes to be a successful candidate for the papacy. In a mere 24-hour span, the overwhelming majority of Cardinals came to that same conclusion, and by the time the white smoke cleared, Pope Leo XIV stood in front of a vast cheering crowd.
Pope Leo is just a year younger than me, and he comes from a different generation than his predecessors. I believe he will bring to the papacy a more youthful outlook and perspective (I hear he plays a mean game of tennis). He also faces a mountain of challenges as the world grapples with a host of conflicts and threats to human dignity and safety, as well as threats to the natural environment.
The internet has exploded over the past few weeks with information about our new Holy Father. I came across a prayer that beautifully summarizes our hopes for his ministry as pope:
A Prayer for His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV
Robert Francis Prevost
Born: September 14, 1955
Ordained Priest: June 19, 1982
Ordained Bishop: December 12, 2014
Created Cardinal: September 30, 2023
Elected Pope: May 8, 2025
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Matthew 16:18
Dear God, our heavenly Father, Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, look favorably upon your servant, Leo XIV, whom you have set as the shepherd of your Church.
Pour out your abundant blessings upon him, and through him, please guide your pilgrim Church along the path to heaven.
Grant him wisdom to discern your will, courage to fulfill it, and love to shepherd your people with the Heart of Christ.
Through his ministry, bring peace to troubled hearts, joy and courage to those who suffer, and hope to the despairing.
May our dear Pope Leo be a faithful successor to Peter,a humble servant of your Word, and a fearless herald of your divine mercy and truth.
Please help him, through his word and example to serve your flock, so that, together with him, we may all come to eternal life with you.
We entrust him to the maternal care of our Mother Mary, and to the prayers of all the saints, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor