Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome.
He was elected Pope on 8 May 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. His name before becoming Pope was Robert Francis Prevost.
As Catholics, we look to the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter and as a spiritual leader who helps guide the worldwide Catholic Church.
At St Mary’s, we pray for Pope Leo and for his ministry as he leads the Church and encourages Catholics throughout the world to follow Jesus.
Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost on 14 September 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
He grew up in the United States and attended Catholic schools. He studied mathematics and philosophy at university before entering the Order of Saint Augustine, also known as the Augustinians.
He was ordained a priest in 1982 and spent many years serving the Church, including more than 20 years in Peru, where he worked as a missionary, parish priest and bishop.
Before becoming Pope, he served in Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he helped with the appointment of bishops around the world. Pope Francis made him a cardinal in 2023.
On 8 May 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope and chose the name Leo XIV.
When Pope Leo XIV first appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica after his election, his first words were:
“Peace be with all of you!”
He spoke about the importance of peace, dialogue, unity and walking together with God.
He encouraged people to build bridges through dialogue and encounter and reminded us that Christians are followers of Christ.
His message gives us an important challenge:
How can we be people who build bridges rather than walls?
At St Mary’s, we can live this message by:
- Being kind and welcoming to everyone
- Listening carefully to others
- Forgiving when relationships become difficult
- Standing up for people who are treated unfairly
- Helping those who need our support
- Respecting people who are different from us
- Choosing peace rather than conflict
- Working together as one community
At St Mary’s, our mission is:
Living and learning inspired by our faith
Pope Leo’s message of unity, peace and service provides a wonderful example of how our faith can guide the way we live.
We can ask ourselves:
How are we living our faith?
How are we learning from Jesus?
How are we serving others?
How are we building bridges in our school community?
How are we using our God-given gifts?
Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV
Lord God,
We thank you for Pope Leo XIV
and for the gift of his leadership of the Catholic Church.
Guide him with your Holy Spirit
as he serves your people throughout the world.
Give him wisdom, courage and compassion.
Help him to be a voice for peace,
a defender of those in need
and a leader who brings people together.
Help us at St Mary’s
to follow his example
by living our faith, serving others
and building a community of love and peace.
May we always remember
that although we are many,
we are one in Christ.
Amen.