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On the Election of Pope Leo XIV (Statement by Fr. Brown)

May 8, 2025 | St. Mary's News

May 8, 2025

Statement of Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S.
President Rector of St. Mary’s Seminary & University
on
The Election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV

America’s first Catholic seminary, St. Mary’s Seminary & University, rejoices at the election of America’s first Holy Father of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago, Illinois. An Augustinian monk and priest, Pope Leo served as U.S. Provincial of the Augustinians, Prior General, and director of formation before being appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru by Pope Francis. He became a member of the Congregation for Clergy in Rome, then Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. He understands at a very deep level the importance of the education and formation of priests and religious, and Christians in general.

Pope Leo has showed care and sympathy for Venezuelan refugees in Peru, and he has reflected deeply on the reality and challenges of the human condition. His choice of the name Leo XIV signals a deep consciousness of matters of social justice and the plight of the poor and otherwise disadvantaged. He has shown a commitment to the Gospel imperative that those in need be visible and that we promote their full human dignity. He has emphasized the importance of living well-ordered Christian lives. Pope Leo’s election promises an ongoing awareness of the Church’s duty to awaken people to God’s mercy and treat all with ultimate dignity and respect. The Church and the world have entered a new era in continuity with the best of its traditions and solicitude for the poor, and its commitment to gentle pastoral approaches. All have good reason to rejoice at the election of Pope Leo and to move forward in hope and with confidence that Leo will be a Pope who unifies and consoles those within the fold of the faith and all people. His initial words as Pope were words of peace. He will undoubtedly be a peacemaker with charismatic gifts to bring peace to our hearts and minds and to relations among peoples.

Viva Pope Leo XIV: ad multos annos from the entire St. Mary’s Seminary & University community.

Rev. Phillip J. Brown, P.S.S.
President Rector
St. Mary’s Seminary & University


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