Tennessee’s Catholic bishops this week celebrated the new pope and asked people to pray for him.
On Thursday, the College of Cardinals voted Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, to become the 267th pope in the Church’s nearly 2,000-year history. Leo, from Chicago, is the first American pope ever elected.
He takes over for Pope Francis, who passed away in April.
Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville said his diocese welcomed the new pontiff.
“Let us give thanks to God for this moment of renewal and unity in the life of the Church. I invite the faithful to join me in a prayer for our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, the successor of St. Peter,” Spalding said.
The prayer says:
“O God, we pray that Pope Leo XIV will be led by the Holy Spirit, forever inspired and obedient to your call as shepherd of the universal Church. May your grace work through him, filling his Apostolic ministry with joy as the courageous and faithful pastor of your flock on earth,” he stated. “May his witness inspire us to deepen our love for Jesus, to profess our faith boldly, and to journey together as pilgrims of hope in this Jubilee Year. Our Lady, Mother of the Church, pray for us.”
Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville expressed “joy and gratitude” about the new pope.
“We are filled with immense gratitude to the Holy Spirit for guiding the College of Cardinals in selecting Pope Leo XIV to lead our Catholic Church,” Beckman said.
“The faithful of East Tennessee join in prayer and thanksgiving for our new Holy Father. Pope Leo XIV brings tremendous gifts to the Chair of St. Peter, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue to proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in East Tennessee and throughout the world,” he added.
Bishop Davd P. Talley of Memphis thanked God for Leo and said “may he guilde the Catholic Church with truth and love.”
“I join all in a prayer of thanksgiving, in giving us Pope Leo XIV. May the Lord grant him every good, as he begins his loving Petrine service,” he added.
Around 7 percent of Tennesseans identify as Catholic.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
Photo “Pope Leo XIV” by The Associated Press.
