CNS photo / Lola Gomez, May 2025
During the Jubilee Year of Hope, we watched Pope Francis struggle with significant health issues. After an extended hospital stay, he returned to the Vatican for a continued period of rest and recovery. Of course, Pope Francis pushed himself to keep up with his apostolic ministry, meeting with world leaders, and presiding at liturgies. He struggled on Easter Sunday to bestow his special Easter blessing on the city and the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The next morning, the world was informed that the Lord called him home, and the Church entered a period of mourning for our beloved Pope Francis. May he rest in peace.
His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected Supreme Pontiff on May 8, 2025. It was truly a great surprise, but a wonderful gift to the Church from God, the Holy Spirit! The conclave, guided by the Spirit of God, realized this man has so many good qualities to give him this tremendously important leadership role. His pastoral duties, missionary experiences, and administrative skills, combined with his obvious prayerful and holy way of life, endowed him with the humility to accept this new role in his life and in the life of the Church.
We stand in awe and wonder of the goodness of our God, who always seems to provide shepherds for the Church after the mind and heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd! Since the Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ on earth, he reflects to us the face of Jesus. Obviously, in his broad smile and in his compassion for the poor, the marginalized, and those in distress, Pope Leo has already endeared himself to ordinary Catholics who look to their Pope for wisdom and strength.
It is only the beginning of what we hope will be a long and fruitful pontificate! It is our duty and responsibility to pray for Pope Leo (as we prayed for Pope Francis) to have the health and stamina to continue for many years, and so we pray:
O God, who chose your servant Leo in succession to the Apostle Peter as shepherd of the whole flock, look favorably on the prayers of your people and grant that, as Vicar of Christ on earth, he may confirm his brothers and sisters, and that the whole Church may be in communion with him in the bond of unity, love, and peace, so that in you, the shepherd of souls, all may know the truth and attain eternal life. We pray, as always, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
I am totally overwhelmed that almost 100 people have told me that I look like Pope Leo! What an honor for me to be compared to His Holiness. I can only hope to imitate his pastoral zeal and charity towards all. If I ever do get to meet Pope Leo in person, I look forward to having my picture taken with him. In the meantime, join me in frequently asking God to help him in the tremendously awesome task of leading our Catholic Church here on earth. The first 100 days of his Pontificate have been marked. Long live Pope Leo XIV!
Bishop Ray's Blog 
Leave a comment