"With great joy we received the news from Rome: habemus papam! We have a pope! I join with Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston and throughout the world, along with people of good will, in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new Holy Father. We pray for him as he begins this ministry as the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of Rome. May he be for us a visible source and foundation of communion in faith.

In his first words to us, Pope Leo spoke of the peace that is the gift of the Lord Jesus:

Peace be with you all, this is the first greeting of the resurrected Christ, the good shepherd who has given up his life for God. And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and our families. (Pope Leo XIV from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica)

May that peace give him strength and consolation, and may it fill our hearts as we live our own calling."