Knights of Columbus join the universal Church in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV
From his very first public appearance May 8, Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pontiff in history — has articulated a vision for his pontificate and the Catholic Church: one of peace and unity, centered in Jesus Christ.
“Peace be with you all,” the pope proclaimed from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. “Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.”
“It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.”
Before his election, Pope Leo XIV was known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago and a member of the Order of St. Augustine. A former missionary in Peru, where he served as bishop of Chiclayo, he most recently served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops since April 2023.
Inspired by Pope Leo XIII, whose landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum in 1891 addressed the social and economic upheaval of the Industrial Revolution, the Holy Father reflected on the selection of his papal name during his first official speech, to the College of Cardinals on May 9.
“Sensing myself called to continue in this same path [as Leo XIII], I chose to take the name Leo XIV,” he said. “In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.”
In a May 8 statement, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly affirmed the Knights of Columbus’ commitment to be strong supporters and close collaborators with Pope Leo XIV.
“I pledge our loyalty to Pope Leo XIV as well as our prayers today and every day of his pontificate,” the supreme knight said. “In the years ahead, we will proudly stand with him as we seek together to build up the Kingdom of God.”
Speaking with EWTN after the pope’s election, the supreme knight elaborated further on his knowledge of the man who became Pope Leo XIV, and the significance of his election for the entire Church.
“He’s a very easy person to talk to,” said Supreme Knight Kelly, who met the future pope twice in 2023. “I think he’s a very balanced man … and very intelligent. It’s a very, very good thing for the Church, what happened today. … This was a conclave of surprises, I would say, brought to us by a God of surprises.”
Pope Leo XIV’s experience as an Augustinian missionary priest and bishop in Peru, the supreme knight added, is a sign that the poor and vulnerable are close to the pope’s heart — a priority that aligns well with the Order’s charitable work around the world: “[Pope Leo XIV] has a global view of the Church, so that’s a real advantage he brings.”
Supreme Knight Kelly will be among the thousands who gather in St. Peter’s Square on May 18 for the inaugural Mass marking the official beginning of the pontificate, which will be broadcast worldwide thanks in part to equipment donated by the Knights of Columbus to the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communication. Since 1978, the Order has provided financial support for the massive Vatican communications effort related to papal funerals, conclaves and the installation of each successor of St. Peter.
In the days that follow, Pope Leo XIV will hold his first general audience (Wednesday, May 21) and formally take possession of Rome’s papal basilicas. For more information on these historic events — or to stream the broadcasts — follow Knights of Columbus social media or visit vaticannews.va.