The Uniting Church in Australia congratulates the Roman Catholic Church on the election of Pope Leo XIV

Statement from the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly on the Election of a New Pope

Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli

The Uniting Church in Australia joins with Christians around the world in prayerful thanksgiving and deep reverence as the Roman Catholic Church welcomes a new spiritual leader, Pope Leo XIV.

This is a sacred and historic moment, not only for the Roman Catholic Church but for the whole body of Christ. We honour the movement of the Holy Spirit in this time of discernment and give thanks for the faithful leadership that has brought the global Catholic community to this point.

We celebrate the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, the first pontiff born in the United States of America. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine and dual US-Peruvian citizen, Pope Leo XIV served in Peru as an Augustinian missionary, parish priest and teacher, and was later appointed by the late former Pope Francis as the Bishop of Chiclayo. He has held significant roles within the Vatican. His choice of the papal name 'Leo' pays homage to Pope Leo XIII, renowned as the Pope of Catholic social teaching and the rights of workers.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, whose first greeting in Italian and Spanish began with the simple yet profound words of the risen Christ: “Peace be with you all.” We affirm our shared hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our call to be bridge builders, bearing witness to justice, peace and reconciliation in a fractured world.

We pray that God will grant Pope Leo XIV the wisdom to lead with humility, the courage to walk with truth and love and the grace to listen deeply to the cries of the earth and the hopes of all people. May this new season of leadership be marked by compassion, faithfulness and unity in Christ.

On behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia, I offer our prayers and our ongoing commitment to nurturing the ecumenical relationship we share with the Roman Catholic Church. Together, as one people of faith, we walk in step with the Spirit who unites us.

A Prayer for the New Pope

Loving and faithful God,
We give thanks at the election of a new Pope,
for the witness of the global Church,
and for the guiding presence of your Spirit in every corner of creation.

Bless your servant whom you have called to this sacred ministry.
Grant wisdom rooted in humility,
courage shaped by compassion,
and a heart formed by the boundless love of Christ.

May Christ’s love shine through every word spoken,
every hand extended,
every life touched.

May their leadership reflect the mercy and justice of your reign —
reaching toward the margins,
breaking down walls that divide,
and building bridges of hope, healing and unity.

Unite your people in love and purpose.
Strengthen the bonds between churches,
and let our common witness radiate the transforming power of Christ’s love in the world.

In the name of Christ,
Amen.