The north american Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, Robert Francis Prevost said in his first homily as Pope Leo XIV regarding the reading of the Holy Gospel by St. Matthew (Matthew 16:13-23):
“…Today, too, there are many contexts in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, something for weak and less intelligent people. Contexts in which other securities are preferred, such as technology, money, success, power, or pleasure. These are environments in which it is not easy to bear witness and proclaim the Gospel, and where those who believe are ridiculed, hindered, and scorned, where at most they are tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, these are environments where the mission is most urgent. Because a lack of faith often brings with it tragedies, such as the loss of the meaning of life, the neglect of mercy, the violation of human dignity in its most dramatic forms, the crisis of the family, and so many other wounds that are i nflictedon society and cause great suffering.
“There are many contexts in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a merely sort of charismatic leader or superman. And this happens not only among non-believers, but also among many baptized people, who thus end up living a de facto atheism in this context. This is the world entrusted to us, in which, as Pope Francis has often taught us, we are called to bear witness to joyful faith in Jesus the Savior.
“For this reason, it is also essential for us to repeat: ‘You are the Messiah, the living Son of God.’ It is fundamental to do so first of all in our personal relationship with him, in our commitment to a daily journey of salvation. But also as a Church, living together our belonging to the Lord and bringing the good news to all.
“And I say this first of all for myself, the successor of St. Peter, as I begin my mission as Bishop of the Church in Rome, called to preside over the Universal Church in charity.
“…Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who was led in chains to this city, the place for his imminent sacrifice, wrote to the Christians living in Rome: ‘At that moment I will truly be seen as a disciple of Christ, when the world will no longer see my body.’
“He was referring to being devoured by the wild beasts at the Roman Circus, and so it happened, but his words are evoked in a more general sense as an irrevocable commitment for anyone who exercises a ministry of authority in the Church: To disappear so that Christ may remain. To make oneself small so that He may be known and glorified. To spend oneself to the end so that no one may lack the opportunity to know and love Him. May God grant me this grace today and always with the help of the tender intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church.”
Robert Francis Prevost, Bishop of Chiclayo (Peru), was elected Pope yesterday in the final vote by the College of Cardinals voting in the conclave following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away last Easter Monday (April 21st, 2025).
The former Bishop of Chiclayo (Peru), born in Chicago, USA, a mathematician by training, a tennis fan, a good listener, with an approachable nature, and known as the “Latin Yankee,” has decided to adopt the name Leo XIV taking on his ministry as Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church. And the first U.S. born Pope in the history of the Catholic Church begins his pontificate determined to “spend himself to the end” in the endeavor.
Image over the headline.- Bishop Robert Francis Prevost greets the audience gathered in St. Peter’s Square from the Loggia following his election as Pope (Leo XIV) by the College of Cardinals. Detail of the image published by YoshiroTV on Wikimedia Commons. To watch the original image and read the terms of the lisense, click here.
Related external links:
First mass of Pope Leo XIV (video complete)
