Statement on the Election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope

Announcements,

 
Statement on the Election of 
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as
the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from
The Catholic Biblical Association of America

 
On Behalf of the Executive Board and the Members

Habemus papam! We have a pope!

 
We want to thank the Lord for the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV. We are grateful that the Conclave of Cardinals were guided by the Holy Spirit to quickly choose the next leader of the Catholic Church. This is a great moment in the life of the Church as we have the first Pope with a foot in both Americas, one who is an American and a Peruvian citizen. Hopefully this will be a sign of continued building relationships between the Church in the Americas. This is day in which all Christians should celebrate with thanksgiving and a hope that the Church will expand its welcoming spirit of open arms to all the world’s citizens.
 
Personally, I was encouraged by his words from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square when he mentioned the need for everyone in the Church to be vessels of God and to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ. It is my hope that the new Pope will stand up and speak out against the oppression that we are seeing each day against our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, and even our relatives. We too must do the same and stand up for issues of social justice, human rights, and against acts of genocide and war crimes throughout the world.

Let us celebrate our new Pope with a hope that he will bring further renewal to the Catholic Church and a bold new vision going forward. God Bless Pope Leo, and blessed be God forever.

May God grant us Peace/Shalom/Salaam,
Archie


Archie Wright
Executive Director
The Catholic Biblical Association of America
May 12, 2025