Christ Jesus, King and Lord of the Church, in your presence I renew my unconditional loyalty to the Pope, the visible source and foundation of unity in the Church. I firmly believe that through him you govern, teach and sanctify us. Watch over his life, enlighten his mind, strengthen his spirit. Grant us that, around him, your Church will remain united, firm in her belief and action, and so be the faithful instrument of your redemption. Amen.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

At a glance…

• 69 year old Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago.
• He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at Villanova University.
• In 1977 he discerned a vocation to the priesthood and joined the Augustinian order, going on to serve as their Prior General  from 2001-2013,
• He served most recently as prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
• He spent much of his life outside the United States, serving in Peru for many years as a missionary, parish priest, teacher, and Bishop of Chiclayo.
• Pope Leo XIV is a canon lawyer, earning his licentiate in Canon Law in 1984, and his doctorate in 1987 from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
• The new pope continues the concern Pope Francis showed for the poor and migrants, and the importance of meeting people where they are.

Pope Leo XIV’s First Urbi et Orbi Address to the Public

Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica:

Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.

This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome – the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.

Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.

Thank you Pope Francis!

Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.

I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.

To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:

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.

Letter from the General Directive College of Regnum Christi

To all members of Regnum Christi

Dear Regnum Christi Members,
 
With gratitude and hope, we welcome the announcement of the new Successor of Peter: Pope Leo XIV.
 
“Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.” First Urbe et Orbi Blessing of the Holy Father Leo XIV
 
In communion with the whole Church, we express our deep love and adherence to the Holy Father. Let us entrust him to Our Lord from now on in our prayer, that the Holy Spirit may strengthen and guide him in his mission as a visible sign of unity and Universal Shepherd of the People of God.
 
As Regnum Christi, we feel called to be a living part of the Church, which is the seed and beginning of the Kingdom on this earth, and to collaborate in its evangelizing mission. (cf. SRCF 16).


The new pope will have before him the challenge of leading the Church in the midst of a change of era that calls for discernment, courage, and hope. We, as a community of apostles, want to place ourselves at his side with humility and determination, to collaborate in the evangelizing mission not only as a task, but as a response of love to Christ who has called us to be witnesses of his mercy.
 
In this new era, let us listen attentively to the voice of the Pope, open our hearts to his magisterium and walk joyfully to the rhythm of the Spirit, as children of the Church and sowers of the Kingdom.
 
May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, and Queen of the Apostles, accompany him and us on this new stretch of the journey.
 
With affection and hope, and united in prayer,
 
The General Directive College of Regnum Christi