Archbishop Julian welcomes election of Pope Leo XIV

It was with great joy that I received the news early this morning, Australian time, that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as our new pope, taking the papal name of Leo XIV.

Born and raised in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV joined the Augustinian order, served as a priest in Peru and was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo. He was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 and was named Prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops. Pope Leo XIV is 69 years of age.

First of all, I would like to express gratitude to God for our new pope, who is the Successor of St Peter and the Vicar of Christ for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. It is with much thanksgiving that we receive our new Holy Father, a shepherd and spiritual father to Catholics around the globe. As pope, we look to him as one who will ensure that the Church will be faithful in its witness to and handing on of the Apostolic faith.

With Catholics across the world, I pledge my loyalty to Pope Leo XIV, and assure him of my filial love and affection. I look to him as one who will continue to inspire all Catholics to live out the fullness of the Christian faith.

I also commit myself to pray for Pope Leo XIV, for his wellbeing and peace, and that his papacy will always be guided by the Holy Spirit and distinguished by an unswerving faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to serve the life and mission of the Catholic Church.

I encourage all Catholics, particularly those here in Tasmania, to join me in praying for our new Holy Father, that God will abundantly bless his ministry and make it fruitful for the glory of God.

Yours in Christ,

Archbishop Julian