Bishop Fintan Gavin welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost OSA as our new pope.

Cardinal Prevost has taken the name Pope Leo XIV and his election comes on day two of the Conclave in Rome where 133 cardinal electors were gathered in the Sistine Chapel.

Bishop Fintan Gavin also extends his congratulations to the community of Augustinian Friars in Cork as the new pope belongs to the worldwide Augustinian family which is one of the oldest religious orders of the Catholic Church.

“It’s very encouraging to hear the key points made by the Holy Father in his first remarks. He emphasised the need for unity and peace in the world and in the Church.” 

“Pope Leo also has a connection with Cork and Ross Diocese because until last year he was a bishop in Peru. Many of the priests and religious sisters in our diocese have also spent time as missionaries in Peru.”

The choice of name which the new pope has taken also tells us something of his emphasis in faith, Bishop Fintan said. 

“Pope Leo XIII, the last pope to take the name Leo, issued an important document in 1891 on the social teaching of the Church. And this new pope is someone who has ministered among the poor in Peru.”

I invite the people of our diocese to pray for Pope Leo as he becomes our chief shepherd and guides us closer to the Risen Lord.”