In the afternoon of Thursday, 8th of May, a new Pope was elected by the conclave. The 267th Bishop of Rome was born Robert Prevost but is now Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope. “Peace be with all of you” were the first words he spoke to the crowd from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. Around the world, Anglican churches have shared messages of goodwill as they welcomed the election of Pope Leo.
The Anglican Communion
In recent decades, the Anglican Communion has worked with the Roman Catholic Church in ecumenical dialogues through the work of two commission groups, the Anglican–Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the International Anglican–Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) because there is much that unites the two Communions.
The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, stated, “With great joy, we welcome the election and appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope and Bishop of Rome. On behalf of the worldwide Anglican Communion, we share our prayers, celebration and encouragement as His Holiness takes up his global ministry in service of the Church. May he lead with faithfulness, vision and courage, embodying the Christian values of peace and justice in service of mission and evangelisation.
“At this point in history, the world and the Church face significant challenges. Crises of mass migration, war, poverty and division press upon us all. As ever, the most innocent and vulnerable in our societies suffer most severely. We welcome Pope Leo’s commitment to building bridges through dialogue, and his summons to all the faithful to visible unity without fear.”
Read the full statement.
The Anglican Centre in Rome
The Rt Revd Anthony Ball, Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, and the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See, wrote in a statement, “We offer our heartfelt prayers and support as the new Holy Father begins his singular Petrine ministry in service of the global Church, particularly in this age of war, poverty, mass migration, division and distrust, in which those who suffer most are the innocent and most vulnerable among us. We are encouraged by the first words of his papacy: 'La pace sia con tutti voi! [Peace be with you all!] This is the peace of the Risen Christ: a disarmed and disarming peace, a humble and preserving peace. It comes from God - God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.'
“Giving thanks for his wide international pastoral experience and dedication to social justice, we are grateful for Pope Leo's call for a Church of bridgebuilders. Such a vision has motivated the mission and ministry of the Anglican Centre in Rome for nearly 60 years. This call serves to renew our commitment to our long-standing and friendly collaboration with the Catholic Church, building bridges through ecumenical dialogue toward that full, visible unity to which Christ calls us.”
As the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Bishop Anthony Ball will be working closely in ecumenical dialogues with the new Pope and the Holy See.
Read the full statement here.
Find out more about the Anglican Centre in Rome here.
Europe
The Rt Revd Dr Robert Innes, Bishop of the Diocese of Europe and Bishop or Gibraltar, said, “Alongside our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, we celebrate with joy the election of Pope Leo XIV. May God bless him richly in a ministry of evangelisation, bridge building and service to the poor, the marginalised and the refugee.”
Read the full statement here.
The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who has been covering many of the duties of the Archbishop of Canterbury during the interregnum period and was a part of the Anglican Communion delegation that attended Pope Francis’ funeral, released a statement.
“I share in the great joy of our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers in welcoming His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the Bishop of Rome. With Christians around the world, I will be praying for the new Pope as he takes on the enormous challenges and responsibilities of the Petrine ministry.
“Pope Leo XIV’s many years of pastoral experience, his commitment to justice, and his deep spirituality are an example of life lived in service to Jesus Christ. As Anglicans, we give thanks for his call to Christians to be bridge-builders across the divisions of our world, and the divisions that continue to exist between churches.”
Read the full statement.
The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and the Most Revd John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh, released a joint statement: “We rejoice with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters that a heavy responsibility has been discharged and can now be received with thanksgiving by the Christian world. I wish to pass on the good wishes of the Church of Ireland not only to Pope Leo but also to the bishops, priests and Catholic people of Ireland as they enter in closer communion and closer knowledge of their new Chief Shepherd”.
Read the full statement.
The Most Revd Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor, wrote in his statement, “On behalf of the Church in Wales, I send my most heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election. In a world beset by division and uncertainty, the timeless truths of the Christian message have never been more relevant, and we will hold Pope Leo XIV in our prayers as he takes on his momentous responsibilities of leadership.
“In Wales, we have the happiest memories of the late Pope Francis, and his gift of a piece of the True Cross, which is incorporated in the ceremonial Cross of Wales which is now shared between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches in Wales. In that spirit of Christian unity, we look forward to working with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters for the benefit of all people, inspired by the faith we share.”
Read the full statement.
The Most Revd Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church & Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness, wrote, “I rejoice in the news of the election of Pope Leo and I offer the prayers of the Scottish Episcopal Church as he begins this very special ministry, for the strength and courage to lead the Catholic Church in its mission to bring love and hope to the world”.
Read the full statement.
The Americas
A statement from the Iglesia Anglicana de México stated, “The Anglican Church of Mexico extends its greetings and congratulations to Bishops, Clerics, Religious Communities, lay leaders, men and women, parishioners and members of the Roman Catholic Church on the election of their 267th Pontiff, Bishop of Rome, Leo XIV.
“Today in the midst of challenges and changes, we join our prayer that the intention of the Roman Catholic Anglican International Commission for Unity and Mission, will remain in motion and be strengthened so that we may continue these great communions in response to the mission entrusted to us.”
Read the full statement here.
Africa
The Most Revd Jackson Ole Sapit, Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya, reflected, “even as the global Church looks to Rome, here in Kenya we too feel the warmth of this moment.”
“Let this be more than a celebration. Let it be a consecration. For love is the root of all true ministry, and service the fruit of all true love. The call to lead is always a call to love. The call to love is always a call to serve. And the call to serve must always echo the voice of the Shepherd.”
Read the full statement.
The Most Revd Samy Fawzy, Primate of Alexandria and Bishop of Egypt, congratulated the new Pope. He expressed his sincere wishes for the Pope’s success in leading the Church during this important period, praying that God grants him wisdom and strength to continue his mission of promoting peace, love and dialogue among churches and nations.
He also emphasised the deep fraternal ties between the Episcopal and Catholic churches, affirming that ecumenical cooperation and joint efforts for peace are a shared responsibility of all believers.
Read the full statement here.
The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa, shared “On behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, I welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV and pray intensely for him and for the Roman Catholic Church which he now leads. We are greatly encouraged by his statements on the importance of remaining humble and his commitment to being close to those who suffer as well as to building bridges between people.
“As members of the worldwide Anglican Communion, we look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with him to build the kingdom of justice and peace, to forging our shared way ahead, and to taking forward the legacy of Pope Francis. Our prayers for his leadership accompany him solidly.”
Read the full statement here.
The Middle East
The Most Revd Hosam Naoum, President Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, and Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, observed, “in his first address as Pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of the Church being a missionary Church—one that shares in the suffering of the world and proclaims the unconditional love of God to all peoples. He also spoke of the need for peace and justice—a message that is especially urgent in a world torn by injustice and war.
“As Anglicans living in the Lands of the Holy One, and amid the many challenges we face, we wholeheartedly share in His Holiness’ call for the Church to bear witness to God’s love and to be a voice for justice and peace. We also stand in solidarity with all who suffer, seeking to empower and support them.”
Read the full statement.
Asia
The Church of South India reported that they “joyfully extend heartfelt congratulations to the Pope Leo XIV, the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, and conveys warm fraternal greetings to our sisters and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church worldwide.”
Oceania
The Diocese of Wellington in the Anglican Church of Australia shared a statement from the Most Revd Paul Martin, Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV. The Archbishop said, “It is wonderful news to hear of the election of Pope Leo XIV as our new Pope. We pray for him as he takes up the call as Bishop of Rome. We look forward to his leading our Church and working with him to be pilgrims of hope in a world that is in great need of the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
The Melbourne Anglican reported that the Most Revd Peter Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne extended heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, saying, “[We] give thanks to God for the gift of his leadership at this pivotal moment in the life of God’s people,”.
Read more from Melbourne Anglican.