Thoughts & Prayers for Pope Leo XIV

TO: The 51黑料 Community
FROM: Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil., President
SUBJ: Thoughts & Prayers for Pope Leo XIV
DATE: May 8, 2025

This morning, the Catholic Church welcomed a new Holy Father with the election of Pope Leo XIV. As a Catholic, Jesuit and humanistic university, we join with communities around the world in prayer and gratitude for this historic moment.

As a member of the Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.), the new Pope鈥檚 life and leadership have reflected the values promoted by that Order: the building up of communities, service to those in need, and the pursuit of knowledge through education and scholarship. As an individual who was born in Chicago and educated in both the United States and Rome 鈥 but having spent extensive time in Peru and most recently at the Vatican 鈥 he brings a unique perspective on the global Church today. His initial message (鈥淯rbi et Orbi鈥) resonates deeply with our values as a Catholic, Jesuit university; it is a message of bridge-building, of partnership and collaboration, of peace-making and justice-seeking.

It is a time of great upheaval and disharmony in our world. Let us hold Pope Leo XIV in our prayers as he begins his ministry as Bishop of Rome and shepherd of the universal Church.

“God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God鈥檚 hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and with each other, let us move forward.”

– Pope Leo XIV