07/05/2026
HAPPY FIRST YEAR PAPAL ELECTION ANNIVERSARY, POPE LEO XIV
One year ago today, on May 8, 2025, the bells of the Church seemed to echo with joy as white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the world heard the words: Habemus Papam.
Do you remember where you were when the announcement came?
Do you remember the anticipation as the name was proclaimed in Latin β Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost?
An American Pope? From Chicago? Could it really be?
And then, from the balcony of St. Peterβs Basilica, the newly elected Successor of St. Peter appeared before the world as Pope Leo XIV.
His very first words were not political, complicated, or grandiose. They were the words of the Risen Christ Himself:
βPeace be with all of you.β
In that moment, the Church received not only a new Pope, but also a shepherd whose first desire was to bring the peace of Christ into wounded hearts, divided families, troubled nations, and a fractured world.
Now, as Pope Leo XIV celebrates the first anniversary of his election as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, Catholics around the world look back with gratitude on a year marked by calls for unity, communion, justice, and peace. His episcopal motto, βIn the one Christ, we are one,β has become the heart of his pontificate β a reminder that the Church cannot truly evangelize if she is divided within herself.
His choice of the name βLeoβ was also deeply meaningful. Like Pope Leo XIII, who courageously addressed the struggles brought by the Industrial Revolution through Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIV has spoken about the modern challenges facing humanity β especially artificial intelligence, human dignity, labor, and social justice. He reminds the world that technological progress must never come at the expense of the human person.
One year later, many still remember the emotion of that evening: the white smoke, the ringing bells, the crowded square, and the simple yet powerful blessing of peace from the balcony of St. Peterβs Basilica.
As Catholics, may we continue to pray for Pope Leo XIV β that the Holy Spirit may strengthen him in guiding the Church with wisdom, courage, humility, and charity.
Ad multos annos, Pope Leo XIV!
May Christ preserve His Vicar and grant peace to His Church and to the whole world.
