My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, the Church rejoices because we have heard the good news of the election of a new pontiff! With hearts lifted in gratitude and voices joined in praise to God, we welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV, the 266th successor of St. Peter. This is not only a moment of historical importance, but a spiritual gift to the Church and to the world. The Responsorial Psalm Antiphon tells it all: “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” This brief antiphon captures what we feel today: a song of thanksgiving rising from every corner of the earth and the command of Christ to “go out” and “tell the Good News,” sharing the Gospel and living the Gospel by being a vibrant witness of Christ risen in our midst. Pope Leo began his remarks echoing Christ’s Resurrection words: Peace be with you all!

In our first reading, we heard the dramatic conversion of Saul. A man once filled with violence and self-righteous religious arrogance is transformed by a dramatic personal encounter with the Risen Jesus. His heart is pierced not by argument but by Presence. The same Presence that calls Saul by name and sends him on mission now calls and sends our new Holy Father. Pope Leo XIV, like Peter and Paul before him, is called to proclaim the mystery of Christ crucified and risen — not as a mere doctrine, but as a living encounter that changes everything.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of giving us His very Flesh and Blood — not symbolically, but truly, “for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) Pope Leo now stands in that ancient line of witnesses to this Eucharistic mystery. His Petrine ministry is not one of power, but of Presence. He is not a celebrity, but a servant of communion, the one who, in humility and faith, strengthens his brothers and sisters and leads us into deeper union with the Lord of life.

We give thanks that Pope Leo XIV comes among us as a builder of bridges — a pontifex in the fullest sense of the term — reaching across divisions in the Church, extending hands toward other Christian traditions, dialoguing with other religions and, indeed, all peoples of good will. His name, “Leo,” evokes strength and courage, yes, but also the boldness of love. The kind of love that brings enemies to the same table for constructive conversations and a boldness that proclaims the peace of Christ where there has been turmoil and strife.

So, today, we affirm our filial devotion to him not only as Catholics, but as grateful children of the Church. In this age of noise and confusion, our new pope stands as a visible sign of unity, a shepherd who walks with a loyal flock, proclaiming Christ not as an idea but as a real, risen Lord, the One Who feeds us with His own life so that “whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

And so, we pray: 

May Pope Leo XIV’s ministry be fruitful. May he speak boldly with the fire of Peter and the compassion of Francis, the intellectual acumen of Benedict, the fearlessness of John Paul II. May he walk humbly with the suffering, the young, the poor, and the forgotten. May he be strengthened by our love and our prayers. Holy Spirit, fill him with wisdom and courage and boldness of mission! St. Augustine, help him to guide us to Christ, the One Who can quell our restless hearts; Mary, Mother of the Church, wrap him in your mantle of tenderness and motherly protection! St. Peter, guide your successor who shepherds us in the shoes of the fisherman!

And let all the Church respond: Amen! Alleluia!