East Anglia church leaders welcome Pope Leo XIV 

East Anglian church leaders have welcomed the announcement of a new Pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican in Rome on Thursday evening.

The Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Peter Collins said: “On behalf of the Diocesan Family of East Anglia, I wish to express exultant joy and thanksgiving following the Election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Successor of St Peter and 267th Bishop of Rome. I extend to the Holy Father the assurance of our prayers as he courageously and generously embraces the responsibilities of the Papacy.

"I had the privilege of meeting with the then Archbishop Prevost in September 2023 at a week-long conference in Rome, Pope Francis having appointed him a few months earlier as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. There was unanimity among the bishops present at the gathering that Archbishop Prevost was a most humble and remarkably impressive man.

"Pope Leo has been gifted with so many talents, all of which have been employed consistently across his lifetime in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ." 

The Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and lead bishop for the environment, said: “The election of Pope Leo XIV is good news for nature and climate. He understands, through personal experience in South America, the frontline impact of climate change and nature loss. I am heartened that last November, Pope Leo, when still Cardinal Prevost, urged that it was time to move ‘from words to action’ and build a ‘relationship of reciprocity’ with the environment.

“To me, that shows a continuity with Pope Francis’ ecological vision in this encyclical Laudato Si, no doubt with a new style and focus of engagement. The new Pope will be much in my prayers as we strive to work ecumenically and with all people of good will to care for God’s creation.” 

Having first graduated in mathematics from the University of Villanova in Pennsylvania, the young Robert Francis Prevost followed the pathway to a priestly vocation within the Order of Saint Augustine. Returning to his native Chicago, he further graduated in philosophy and theology at the Catholic Theological Union. He would later undertake yet more study and research in Rome, obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in canon law at University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Pope Leo has Italian, Spanish and French ancestry and thus encapsulates a multi-cultural and multi-lingual inheritance. He has a missionary heart, having spent 14 years in Peru following his ordination as a priest. He served as a pastor amidst the poorest communities, undertook significant roles in the formation of young members of his Order as well as lecturing in seminary and university. He was then taken into the international arena, being twice elected by his Augustinian brethren to serve as Prior General. In this capacity he governed and visited Augustinian communities across the world.

In 2014 Pope Francis returned Fr Prevost to Peru, appointing him as Bishop of Chiclayo, before finally calling him to Rome in 2023 to assume responsibility for the appointment of bishops across the world. Having received the Red Hat from Pope Francis in late 2023, Cardinal Prevost entered the Conclave on Wednesday May 7 only to emerge the next day as Pope Leo XIV.

Pictured above is the world's first sight of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in Rome. Photograph Credit: © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk