A TIME TO REJOICE

Ecumenical leaders celebrate and pray for Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby as he rides in the popemobile around St. Peter's Square at the Vatican before his first weekly general audience May 21, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) (Courtesy photo of Vatican Media)

It is hard to share my Christian faith and was especially so during high school and college where Christianity was often synonymous with the crusades, inquisition, colonization, schism and homophobia. Pope Francis’ leadership reminded the world that true Christian leadership is rooted in humility and compassion. I wept at his passing and found my sorrows echoed by both religious and secular colleagues. As the mourning of Pope Francis has brought the world together, the anticipation of Pope Leo XIV has done the same. Below are statements from local, national and international ecumenical friends who are celebrating, and praying, for our Pope.

We rejoice with our Roman Catholic friends and colleagues at the election of the first American pope. Increasingly in our time, the successor of Peter has won a place as a spiritual leader in the hearts of the faithful of many denominations and recent popes have been uniquely positioned to speak up for persecuted Christians throughout the world. In our time, the common challenges the churches face make our sad divisions more and more of a scandal. We pray that the new pope will be a leader who will build up the unity of the Body of Christ and strengthen us all in our ability to share the good news of the love of God and the new life in Jesus Christ. 

• The Very Rev. Fr. Leander S. Harding, Ph.D., Dean of the Cathedral of All Saints, Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany  

We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join with people around the world in praying for the ministry of Pope Leo XIV. We rejoice with the people of the Roman Catholic Church, especially those in our communities, as they joyfully receive their new shepherd…

We pray that the Holy Spirit will sustain Pope Leo XIV for the ministry to which he has been called and will strengthen us all in our vocations as bridge-builders and as witnesses to God’s love for all people and creation.

- Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 

The National Council of Churches in the USA (NCC) join Christians globally - Protestant,

Orthodox and Catholic - to congratulate and welcome Pope Leo XIV as the newly elected

Supreme Pontiff and Bishop of Rome.

This is an important and celebratory moment in the life of the Church and Ecumenism. We are encouraged by the promise of Pope Leo XIV to be a servant leader who cares for those Jesus called the “least of these.” He appears well prepared to lead during these turbulent times, and we look forward to working with him to do justice, mercy and walk humbly with our God. 

• An excerpt from Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC’s President and General Secretary, from a Letter by the National Council of Churches

On behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the global fellowship of churches we represent, we wish to convey our heartfelt greetings and congratulations to you and the whole Roman Catholic Church at your election as the new Bishop of Rome, the Pope Leo XIV.

This moment marks not only a new chapter in the leadership of the Catholic Church but also a renewed opportunity for deepening the bonds of ecumenical friendship and cooperation. We recognize with gratitude the enduring legacy of Pope Francis, who through the synodal way championed a vision of the Church as a community of listening and dialogue, walking together in the Spirit. His commitment to opening the Church to the voices of the marginalized and fostering a culture of encounter has inspired Christians across traditions.

• Excerpt from Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Moderator, World Council of Churches central committee and Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, General Secretary, World Council of Churches

Peter Crasto-Donnelly is the executive director of the Capital Area Council of Churches