A Great Joy

May 28

Archbishop Nelson Perez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with Pope Leo XIV, then-Cardinal Prevost, at a meeting of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in Rome in June of 2024.

On the morning of his election as Pope, I texted three Augustinian friends stating that I was hoping our new Pope would be Cardinal Tagle or Cardinal Robert Prevost. I thought Tagle offered a dynamism that may attract our youth to strengthen and share their lively faith with the world. Having an Augustinian spiritual director for 37 years,, I thought someone trained in the spirituality of Augustine would be a gift to the Church. Cardinal Robert Prevost’s name was on “the list” with a note that he is the “least-American” of the ten American cardinals at the Conclave, having served 20 years in Peru. Perhaps this would bolster his chances for those, like myself, who thought we would never have an American Pope.

To everyone’s surprise, we have an American Pope, an alum of Nova Nation, a Chicagoan from the "South Side," and a White Sox fan. We are learning many other things about him as we embrace him in a particular way as “our Pope.”

We are coming to appreciate his many gifts as being a man of the poor with tremendous empathy for the needy. Many say his choice of the name Leo signals his devotion to social justice and the rights of workers. It seems he will continue Francis’ efforts on synodality. To reference Robert Barron’s thought, he will know best the mind of God leading us to a greater love for this God of surprises. He knows many languages, may he show us the language of God’s infinite love.

We may have known him as an Augustinian or as Cardinal Prevost, but now we need to come to know him as Pope, inspired with the grace of God to lead us. The excitement that comes with “one of our own” brings to mind that God calls you and me to a special vocation in the Church, a way to holiness that is possible with God’s grace and our “letting go,” so God may bring all to fruition. It is timely now as our readings focus on Christ as the Bread of Life, the only and everything that can nourish our needs, embrace us for who we fully are, forgive and sustain us as our “food for the journey.” We have to stop looking elsewhere for fulfillment, direction, and understanding.

Christ is the Bread of Life. When we are in love with ourselves, the world, and all that God has created, Christ is the Bread of Life. When we feel distant from ourselves, others, and this loving God, Christ is the Bread of Life. There is no other: Christ, yesterday, today, and forever!

The election of Pope Leo XIV reminded me of travelling to Philly as a novice to see Pope John Paul II. I remember vividly watching him pray on the kneeler at the Cathedral Basilica, focused on our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I wondered what gift he had in conversing with our Lord, what was he saying or hearing? Then, I realized he has no different gift, channel, or opportunity than you and me. God is longing to commune with us 24/7. We have to make the effort. His intimacy is open to all, at all times.

Let the thrill of this “great joy” that is Pope Leo invigorate our love for the Lord, for the Bread of Life, so we may become alive for Christ, each other, and for the world.

Viva Pope Leo! May Augustine bless him!