(OSV News) -- Catholic groups from around the nation are elated by the newly chosen Pope Leo XIV, while assuring him of their prayers and support.
Moments after the former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost appeared in papal vestments yesterday before the crowds in St. Peter's Square, Catholic ministries, schools and fraternal organizations took to cyberspace, expressing their joy over the selection of the first U.S.-born pope.
"Guided by the Holy Spirit, the College of Cardinals has chosen a pontiff who, true to his roots as a missionary priest, will proclaim the Resurrection and spread the good news of the Gospels far and wide," said Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, in a May 8 statement.
Robinson said that "in the weeks, months, and years to come, we look forward to drawing inspiration in a special way from the first American pope as the 168 Catholic Charities agencies across the United States fulfill their vital mission to come to the aid of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers in every corner of this country."
"We know and trust that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Pope Leo XIV will have the grace to be the leader that we need at this particular time in the life of the Church," said Ward Fitzgerald, president of the Papal Foundation, a U.S.-based charitable organization exclusively dedicated to fulfilling the pope's requests for support of the Catholic Church in emerging nations.
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly of the Knights of Columbus said in his May 8 statement that the new pope enters his papacy bearing "a strong familiarity with the Knights of Columbus."
"I was honored to meet with him (then-Cardinal Prevost) in 2023, shortly after the beginning of his tenure as Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops," said Kelly. "I know firsthand of his sincere appreciation for the Knights of Columbus and our service to the Church around the world."
Kelly observed that the Knights themselves -- one of the world's largest Catholic fraternal organizations -- began during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII, and on behalf of the organization's 2.1 million members, pledged "our loyalty to Pope Leo XIV as well as our prayers today and every day of his pontificate."
He added, "The Knights of Columbus will always stand in solidarity with Pope Leo XIV as we support the Church's mission of evangelization through our works of charity and faith formation."
The Knights of Peter Claver -- a historically Black Catholic fraternal organization that upholds the charitable legacy of the 17th century Jesuit saint who ministered to African slaves -- described Pope Leo XIV's election as "a testament to the diverse and inclusive spirit of our faith."
Noting that the conclave's choice "marks a new chapter in the history of our Church," the Clavers are "are committed to supporting Pope Leo XIV in his mission to lead our Church with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith," said Supreme Knight and CEO Chris Pichon, Supreme Lady Hilda L. Wiltz and Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, the order's chaplain in a May 8 statement.
"Let us embrace this new era with hope and enthusiasm, trusting that our collective efforts will contribute to the growth and unity of our Church," said the Clavers. "Together, we will stand by Pope Leo XIV, offering our prayers, support, and love as he leads us towards a brighter and more inclusive future."
Archbishop Fabre offered a prayer that the new pope's leadership would be "a beacon of hope and unity, inspiring us to live out the Gospel with renewed fervor."
John Berry, national president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA -- the largest lay Catholic organization in the world -- described the election of Pope Leo as "a moment of profound hope for the Church and the world."
"Pope Leo XIV's witness to humility, simplicity, and care for the poor resonates deeply with our Vincentian spirit," said Berry in a May 8 statement. ""We see in this new papacy an invitation to continue to grow and deepen our commitment to works of mercy, solidarity with the vulnerable, and the living out of Catholic social teaching -- not only in words, but in deeds."
The Kansas-based Catholic nonprofit Unbound -- which annually provides $100 million for impoverished families in Africa, Asia and Latin America -- noted that the pope had spent much of his pastoral career in Peru, where the organization currently supports close to 4,400 children and seniors.
"As he begins his papal ministry, we look forward to Pope Leo XIV continuing to build upon the legacy of Pope Francis' pontificate that was defined by solidarity with the poor," said Unbound in a May 8 statement. "We pray that he will continue to inspire the Church and the world to serve and show mercy to others."
Catholic medical professionals also weighed in, with Catholic Medical Association president Dr. Michelle Stanford saying, "We look forward to Pope Leo XIV's guidance as we navigate the complexities of modern medicine while remaining steadfast in our Catholic faith."
"We pray that Pope Leo XIV will inspire all people of goodwill to open their hearts and heed Christ's teaching to love one another," said Sister of Mercy Mary Haddad, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. "For those of us serving in Catholic health care, we joyfully commit ourselves to doing all we can to uplift Pope Leo's work by being ambassadors for healing, peace, justice, and unity."
American Life League president Judie Brown, a twice-appointed member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, serving under the pontificates of St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, said the new pope's American roots give him "a unique opportunity to lead the United States back to a higher moral ground, especially in the matter of abortion."
In a May 8 statement, Brown also noted "that throughout history, popes bearing the name Leo have been strong leaders of the faith who guided the Church with strength and dignity."
Among the Catholic institutions of higher education reacting to news of the new pope was The Catholic University of America, whose president, Peter Kilpatrick, said May 8 he was "delighted and grateful to God."
Kilpatrick noted Pope Leo "began his ministry with words of peace to all and reminded all of us in the Church to be bridge-builders, instruments of peace and love."
Offering the new pope the university community's "prayerful support," Kilpatrick said the school "should feel a special closeness" to Pope Leo "both because he is the first American pope and because his regnal name calls to mind our founder, Leo XIII."
"We look forward to someday welcoming Pope Leo XIV to our campus here in our nation's capital," Kilpatrick added.
At the University of Notre Dame, bells rang out as the white smoke signaling the papal election billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney. The school's president, Holy Cross Father Robert A. Dowd presided at a Mass of thanksgiving for the new pope May 8, and said in a statement that same day the new pope was "a leader of vision, humility and energy," as well as "a tireless missionary who has never hesitated to cross borders to announce the Gospel."
"He has inspired us with his compassion, generosity and love for the people of God," said Father Dowd.
"Let us embrace this new era with hope and enthusiasm, trusting that our collective efforts will contribute to the growth and unity of our Church," said the Clavers in their statement. "Together, we will stand by Pope Leo XIV, offering our prayers, support, and love as he leads us towards a brighter and more inclusive future."
