Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press
Emerging from a period of mourning after the death of Pope Francis, members of the Catholic health care ministry offered prayers and expressions of joy and hope for Pope Leo XIV, the name chosen by Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost upon his election as pope.
His first words to the world on May 8 as he emerged onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square in Vatican City were: "Peace be with you!"
Pope Leo, the first pontiff born in the United States, evoked the name of Pope Francis, who had stood on the same balcony on Easter morning to bless Rome and the world. Pope Francis died the next day, April 21.
"Allow me to extend that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!" Pope Leo said. "All of us are in God's hands."
Speaking on behalf of CHA, President and CEO Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, said: "We pray that Pope Leo XIV will inspire all people of goodwill to open their hearts and heed Christ's teaching to love one another. For those of us serving in Catholic health care, we joyfully commit ourselves to doing all we can to uplift Pope Leo's work by being ambassadors for healing, peace, justice, and unity."
Fr. Joseph Cardone, chief mission officer of Bon Secours Mercy Health, expressed hope that the new pope will continue the work of his predecessor. "The cardinals chose someone committed to the reforms Pope Francis began," Fr. Cardone wrote in a statement. "Pope Leo will move forward in his own unique way, but we know the direction in which he is headed."
'A man of deep integrity'
The new pope was born in 1955 at what was then Mercy Hospital on the south side of Chicago, which was established in 1852 by the Sisters of Mercy.
He received a degree in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and joined the Order of St. Augustine. He earned a master of divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982 and was ordained a priest that year. He earned a licentiate and doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He spent many years as a missionary in Peru and served two consecutive terms as the head of the Augustinians.
"Pope Leo XIV is a man of deep integrity, a true listener, and a companion to those on the margins of society," said Midwest Augustinians Prior Provincial Very Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo in a statement. "We see him as a bridge-builder, rooted in the spirit of St. Augustine, walking forward with the whole Church as a companion on the journey. We are honored that he is one of our own, a brother formed in the restless heart of the Augustinian Order."
The name Leo XIV is a nod to Pope Leo XIII, who led the church from 1878 until his death in 1903. Pope Leo XIII was a strong advocate for education, science and diplomacy, known as the "Social Pope" and the "Pope of the Workers" for his support of workers' rights and fair wages.
"We are moved by Pope Leo XIV's choice of his name, as Pope Leo XIII was a pivotal figure, having introduced modern Catholic social doctrine in Rerum Novarum, which demonstrated that the church stands with the poor and vulnerable and against the abuses of the Industrial Revolution," said a statement from Dan Misleh, executive director of the Catholic Climate Covenant.
In a meeting with cardinals two days after his election, the pope explained he chose the name because of the similarities of current times to the time of Pope Leo XIII.
"In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor," the new pope said.
Executive Director Daniel Daly said CHA's Center for Theology and Ethics in Catholic Health will look to Pope Leo to follow Pope Francis' lead in providing moral leadership on the use of artificial intelligence in Catholic health care.
Daly also said he has been moved by Pope Leo's expressions of humility. "He seems to be a man acutely aware of his own need for God's grace and the support of all members of the church," Daly said. "This is a good sign."
Hope for leadership
Laura Kaiser, president and CEO, said SSM Health joined Catholics around the world in celebrating the new pope.
"We extend our prayers to Pope Leo XIV, and look to him as a unifying leader with a history of speaking out on behalf of the poor and the disenfranchised," Kaiser said. "We pray he will be a voice for the vulnerable, and be a holy example of Jesus' command to love one another. May he lead us in the path of peace, hope and health for every person, family and community, especially those most in need."
Erik Wexler, Providence St. Joseph Health president and CEO, also expressed joy on behalf of the system in a post on LinkedIn:
"As part of the healing ministry of Jesus, we join the global community in praying for him as he promotes the dignity of all people, especially those who are poor and vulnerable," he wrote.
In a statement on the new pontiff, Ascension said: "We welcome his leadership and look forward to his guidance as he shepherds the church in a time of great hope and challenge. As a Catholic health ministry, we remain committed to carrying forward the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. We pray that Pope Leo XIV will be supported and strengthened by the Holy Spirit as he leads the church with wisdom, humility and a heart for the most vulnerable."
In a LinkedIn post, CHRISTUS Health said: "Today, we join the global community in celebrating the joyous election of Pope Leo XIV. May the papacy of his holiness be blessed with wisdom, strength and grace, and may it bring forth a renewed sense of hope and peace to communities around the globe."
John Berry, president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA, offered congratulations to the new pope and assured him of the society's prayers, support and continued service. "Pope Leo XIV's election is a moment of profound hope for the church and the world, as he is entrusted with leading the faithful into a new era of grace, mercy, and renewal," Berry said. "As with Pope Francis, the papacy of Pope Leo XIV offers us an opportunity to further unity, deepen compassion, and strengthen our shared call to serve our neighbors — values that lie at the heart of the Vincentian mission."
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, offered prayers of thanksgiving on behalf of the bishops and in communion with Catholics worldwide.
"Certainly, we rejoice that a son of this nation has been chosen by the cardinals, but we recognize that he now belongs to all Catholics and to all people of goodwill," a statement said in part. "His words advocating peace, unity, and missionary activity already indicate a path forward."