Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

I join with you in great joy and profound gratitude to God on the blessed news that the College of Cardinals, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has elected our new Holy Father. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, will continue to guide us on our spiritual journey and build upon the legacy of Pope Francis as the successor to St Peter.

This is a sacred and historic moment for the universal Church and fills our hearts with renewed hope and calls us to unity as one body in Christ.

The election of our new Holy Father comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity. Guided by prayerful discernment and trust in God’s providence, the cardinals have chosen a man who brings with him a deep love for Christ and his Church, a commitment to the Gospel, and a heart for humility, service, and evangelisation. In his first address, Pope Leo XIV calls us to renewed discipleship when he proclaimed that, “The world needs Christ’s light. Humanity needs him to be the bridge so that God and his love can reach us.”

As Pope Leo XIV begins his petrine ministry, I invite all the faithful of our diocese to unite with me in prayer for him. May he be granted wisdom, courage, and strength to shepherd the Church with compassion and truth.

In this new chapter of the Church’s journey, we renew our commitment to faith, discipleship, and unity. Let us be, together, a Church that reflects the love, compassion, and hope of Jesus Christ.

May Mary, Mother of the Church and Patron of our diocese, intercede for Pope Leo XIV, and may the Holy Spirit guide him as he leads us ever closer to the heart of Jesus.

May we journey with Pope Leo XIV toward a more profound and authentic living of the Gospel.

Yours in Christ

Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD
Bishop of Wollongong
09 May 2025

https://www.dow.org.au/statement-from-bishop-brian-mascord-on-the-election-of-pope-leo-xiv/