Reflection

Pope Leo XIV 

The Pope is the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics. He will provide spiritual and moral guidance and can bridge political divides and bring world leaders together for the common good.   

Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost. He was born in America but has lived all over the world. Pope Leo XIV lived and worked with the people of Peru, in South America, for decades. He gave a warm greeting in Spanish to people from Peru on the balcony.  

Pope Leo XIV chose his name ‘Leo’ which means ‘Lion’. It was Pope Leo XIII who wrote about Catholic Social Teaching in 1891 in an encyclical called Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV will continue to build on Catholic Social Teaching by offering his reading of issues present in our world today and inviting Catholics to respond in the light of faith. 

Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the Order of St Augustine. This means they follow the Rule of Augustine of Hippo which focuses on truth, love and community. May we at Nazareth also always focus on love, truth and community. 

Pope Leo XIV will be a voice of wisdom as he continues the important work of leading the church in the world. Pope Leo said on the balcony of the Vatican: 

‘We must build bridges with dialogue, coming together, uniting, becoming people in one single people in peace.’ 

May he be a messenger of hope and peace to the Church and the world in this Jubilee year and for many years to come. Give him wisdom and courage to lead your people and help us at Nazareth College to listen to him carefully. 

Holy Family of Nazareth, be our inspiration and our guide. 

Jesus of Nazareth, help us to grow in Faith, Wisdom and Knowledge.

(This article was taken from the following resource) 

https://cafod.org.uk/education/education-resources/pope-leo-xiv-resources-for-schools