Bishop Libasci Statement Regarding the Election of Pope Leo XIV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2025 

Bishop Libasci Statement Regarding the Election of Pope Leo XIV

MANCHESTER, NH – The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, D.D, Bishop of Manchester, the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire, has made the following statement about the election of Pope Leo XIV.

“Pope Francis, of blessed memory, created Cardinals across the face of the earth to more clearly exemplify the humanity, the languages, the cultures and the faces of the Universal Church, just as Jesus Himself commissioned the Apostles to ‘Go out to all the nations.’

And now, today, Cardinals from so many, many nations and cultures and circumstances who had come to the hill where Saint Peter was crucified and buried, chose the next Successor of Saint Peter, the next Vicar of Christ on Earth and, as he said in his introductory address to Rome and to the world, a son of Saint Augustine, an ‘Augustinian.’

Described by a former classmate as ‘extremely intelligent, and extremely compassionate,’ our Holy Father has chosen the name, Leo XIV. His predecessor of that name, Leo XIII, is considered the father of Catholic Social Teaching as he stood against the harsh demands against industrialized socialism that threatened and harmed family life at its core.

Having been born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, our present Pope Leo XIV, not only experienced the importance of work, but also the impact that a living faith would have on ensuring the dignity of human work and family life. The late Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., of Chicago embodied these very ideals, exhibiting the same characteristic intelligence and compassion attributed to our Pope Leo XIV.

Through the ministry of his Augustinian Religious Order, our Holy Father brought his gifts, under religious obedience, to his new assignment in Peru. As he spoke from the Loggia today, he addressed the clergy and people of his former diocese in Spanish and with very great love evident in his manner, he obviously walked among his charges with a shepherd’s heart.

Pope Leo XIV arose from the United States of America yet is now a living symbol of unity; to be a bridge (pontifex) of peace not only among peoples, but between God and Humanity, Heaven and Earth.

‘Peace be with you all,’ he said, as he echoed the words of Jesus crucified on Good Friday and risen from the dead on Easter.

Pope Leo XIV, Our Holy Father wished us to walk together ‘insieme’ he said in Italian several times; ‘insieme’ and together we will have access to the bridge that will lead us to our promised peace.”

# # #

The Diocese of Manchester is the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire, serving the needs of nearly 200,000 Catholics. For more information, please visit www.catholicnh.org/overview.