Dear Friends,

Let us rejoice together at the election of Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Church!

Pope Leo comes to this ministry from his service in Rome, at the crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean, as our Conference does. Yet he brings with him a lived experience of the Catholic Church in all its global richness and diversity. For us Jesuits, the Pope is the Vicar of Christ on earth—one to whom we are bound in faithful obedience and from whom we receive our mission to serve wherever the Church most needs us.

In Pope Leo, we also recognize a kindred spirit. As an Augustinian, he shares a religious charism rooted in community life, discernment in common, and the “sentire cum Ecclesia”. We are confident that, like Pope Francis before him, he will understand and accompany us as a friend, with insight and fraternal care.

We, Jesuits in Europe, unite with our Superior General, Fr. Arturo Sosa, in expressing our full availability to the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV—to serve wherever and however his universal vision calls us to offer the best of who we are today.

St. Augustine’s motto was “Heart speaks to heart.” Pope Leo’s simplicity, approachability, and the emotion he showed in his first appearance on St. Peter Basilica’s balcony have already sent a clear message to the hearts of many.

May God keep him and bless him, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Dalibor Renić SJ, President

 Link to Fr. General’s message 

Photo courtesy of Jesuits.Global