Published on: 09 May 2025
Bishop Charles Gauci Welcomes Pope Leo XIV
I warmly welcome the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, now to be known as Pope Leo XIV.
This is a moment of great significance and hope for Catholics across the world, and I join with the people of the Northern Territory and the entire Church in giving thanks for the gift of our new Holy Father.
Pope Leo XIV brings with him a deep well of pastoral wisdom, a missionary heart formed through many years of service in Peru, and the spiritual richness of his Augustinian vocation. His lived experience bridges diverse worlds – Latin America, North America, and the global Church and offers a renewed sense of connection and leadership for our times.
In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV spoke of peace, courage, and unity, encouraging us to “move forward, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other.” These are words that resonate deeply with us here in the Northern Territory, where we walk together across cultures, faith journeys, and shared hopes for reconciliation and renewal.
We offer our prayers for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his Petrine ministry. May the Holy Spirit guide him with strength and compassion as he shepherds the Church into a new chapter of faith, communion, and mission.
We give thanks, too, for the faithful service of Pope Francis, whose witness to mercy, inclusion, and accompaniment has left a lasting legacy. May Pope Leo XIV continue to build on this path of renewal with grace and courage.
I invite all people of goodwill to pray for our new Holy Father and for the Church throughout the world.
+Charles Gauci
Catholic Bishop of Darwin