We would like to welcome the new Pope and share the beautiful words one of our previous Golden Rule Honorees expressed….

“We will be a church that always seeks peace and always seeks charity

and must be close to those who suffer.” Pope Leo XIV

At Catholic Charities Community Services, we rejoice in the election of Pope Leo XIV and welcome his compassionate vision for the Church and the world.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has long exemplified a deep care for the marginalized, particularly migrants and those living in poverty. His dual citizenship in the United States and Peru speaks powerfully to a world increasingly in need of bridges across nations and cultures.

As a native of Chicago with years of ministry in Latin America, Pope Leo XIV brings both grassroots experience and global insight. His leadership on the Pontifical Commission for Latin America is a clear indication of his commitment to justice, accompaniment, and listening to the voices from the peripheries.

We were especially moved by his first address, delivered in Italian and Spanish, where he called on the Church to “help build bridges through dialogue to be one people.” His words echo the values we hold dear at Catholic Charities, where unity, compassion, and service guide our outreach to those most in need.

In choosing the name Leo XIV, he invokes the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, whose dedication to the Church’s social teaching reshaped Catholic engagement with the modern world. Like Leo XIII, Pope Leo XIV appears poised to uphold tradition while courageously addressing today’s complex realities.

His life reflects a balance of pastoral closeness to the poor and the diplomatic skill to work within global structures. This duality gives us hope that the Church under his guidance will be both prophetic and unifying.

At Catholic Charities, we are inspired by his call: “We will be a church that always seeks peace and always seeks charity and must be close to those who suffer.”

So, celebrate with us: Habemus Papam!

As we look to the future with Pope Leo XIV, we renew our commitment to serve, to listen, and to walk alongside those who are most vulnerable. His message is a beacon of hope that strengthens our faith and mission.

Hope and Blessings,

Paul S. Mulligan, MTS, MBA, Servant-In-Chief, Catholic Charities Community Services