A Hopeful Welcome to Pope Leo XIV

A New Chapter for the Catholic Church and the World

With joy, the Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Mary Monastery, endorse this statement from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious welcoming Pope Leo XIV as the new head of the Catholic Church.

“We are deeply grateful for his humble acceptance of his election and his willingness to serve the church and the wider world at this critical moment for the global community.

We believe Pope Leo XIV’s experience as the Prior General of his Augustinian order, his years as a missionary in Peru, and his ministry as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America combine to give him both the skills and the heart to serve the Catholic Church well throughout the world. He also has the breadth of knowledge and a deep concern for marginalized peoples that will make him a credible moral voice for the larger world. 

We were especially heartened to hear Pope Leo’s greetings to the people with these words: We have to look together how to be a missionary church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love…. to all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, and closeness, especially to those who are suffering.”

- Composed by Annmarie Sanders, IHM - LCWR, Assoc. Director for Communications

Used with permission from Leadership Conference of Women Religious