The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville extend our heartfelt congratulations to Cardinal Robert F. Prevost on his election as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Speaking in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the faithful were “Peace be with you all!”

An Augustinian, Pope Leo XIV has spent decades as a missionary in Peru, which is close to our hearts as we are the promoters of a Catholic school in Callao, Peru. The school, Santa Angela Merici School, was founded 60 years ago by our community, and we currently have Sisters serving in Peru. Pope Leo XIV speaks of his love for Peruvians and has both Peruvian and U.S. nationality.

We are deeply grateful for his willingness to accept this call to servant leadership at this critical moment in our Church’s history, and embrace his call to be a synodal church, a church that walks together, a loving church that always seeks peace.

Sister Jean Anne Zappa, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, reflected: “Although this is a historic moment of an election of a pope from the United States, even more importantly are Pope Leo XIV’s words that affirm Pope Francis’s Gospel message of peace and outreach to others. He called us to be bridge builders, to have a welcoming spirit and live out our Catholic Social teachings in this time of geo-political, social and religious challenges. All of us are called to be missionary disciples.”

We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide Pope Leo XIV as he shepherds our Church toward increased efforts in social justice, and deeper peace among all peoples. In his address, Pope Leo XIV called us to be in dialogue with others, and to work towards unity as Christians, stating: “We are disciples of Christ. Christ precedes us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge to be reached by God and his love.”

We believe that this pope will continue to address the climate crisis, reach across divisions, extend mercy to refugees and migrants, and support human dignity and rights for all people, especially those on the margins.

In a spirit of faith and hope, we offer our support and prayers to Pope Leo XIV as he begins his pontificate. May God bless him with wisdom, courage, and compassion as he leads our Church into the future.

Louisville Ursulines in the News about Pope Leo:

Global Sisters Report included part of our statement in a post dated May 8:
Sisters respond with joy to election of Pope Leo XIV

Peru Perspective in The Record
Our very own Sr. Sue Scharfenberger was interviewed for an article in The Record about Pope Leo in The Record about her perspective as a religious sister ministering in Peru.
Louisville Catholics who have encountered the new pope say he brings calm and listens well