Pope Leo noted that it was Mother’s Day in Italy, the United States and elsewhere. “I send a special greeting to all mothers with a prayer for them and for those who are already in heaven,” he said. “Happy holiday to all moms!”

Italian officials estimated 100,000 people were in St. Peter’s Square or on the surrounding streets to join the new… Read more

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Pope Leo prays for vocations, for peace and for mothers on Mother's Day - Detroit Catholic

With a huge and festive crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV led his first Sunday recitation of the 'Regina Coeli' prayer and urged all Catholics to pray for vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life.

Catholics from across the Archdiocese of Detroit gathered May 10 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament as Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger led the Church in Detroit in giving thanks to God for the election of Pope Leo XIV as supreme pontiff of the universal Church.

“I rejoice with Catholics and men and women of goodwill around the… Read more

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Detroit’s faithful gather to give God thanks for the election of Pope Leo XIV - Detroit Catholic

Archbishop Weisenburger urges the Church to listen to the voice of Christ’s newest shepherd as a 'focal point of unity'

The Catholic community is alive, beautiful and strong, and it is up to its pastors to protect and nourish the faithful and to help bring God’s hope to the whole world, Pope Leo XIV said.

For that reason, the pope invited the cardinals “to renew together today our complete commitment to the path that the universal church has now followed… Read more

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Pope Leo XIV explains his choice of name in first meeting with cardinals - Detroit Catholic

The pope, who was elected in a conclave of 133 cardinal electors on the fourth ballot May 8, met with members of the college, including non-electors, in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the cardinal proto-deacon, announced Pope Leo XIV had been elected the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church.

Back in Shelby Township, Michigan, Fr. Ronald Essman was in his recliner when he perked up with a shock.

“I almost had a heart attack,” said Fr. Essman, a senior… Read more

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Before he was Pope Leo XIV, Detroit priests knew him as just 'a wonderful guy' - Detroit Catholic

Newly elected pontiff visited Grosse Pointe parish during his time as Augustinian prior, was college classmates with Detroit priest

Like the rest of the country, Fr. Becket Franks, OSB, wasn’t prepared for the shock of seeing an American — let alone his high school friend in west Michigan — step out onto the loggia above St. Peter’s Square on May 8. As the curtains drew back and the words “Dominum Robertum Franciscum Prevost” were spoken by the cardinal… Read more

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High school classmate recalls new pope as smart, caring and humble class leader - Detroit Catholic

The young Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — went out of his way to help others at St. Augustine Seminary High School in west Michigan

Where Christians are “mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied” is where the Catholic Church’s “missionary outreach is most desperately needed,” Pope Leo XIV said in his first homily as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Today, “there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for… Read more

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In first Mass, Pope Leo calls for Christian witness in world that finds faith 'absurd' - Detroit Catholic

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Where Christians are "mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied" is where the Catholic Church's "missionary outreach is most desperately needed," Pope Leo XIV said in his first homily as leader of the world's … Continue reading

The new Roman pontiff attended high school in western Michigan.

For Michigan natives, that sentence might take a while to sink in.

As the world learned the identity of the 267th pope and the 266th successor to St. Peter on May 8, few expected to see an American step out onto the loggia above St. Peter’s Square. But that’s exactly what… Read more

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A pope with Midwest roots: Pope Leo attended seminary high school in western Michigan - Detroit Catholic

Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — graduated from Holland's now-closed St. Augustine Seminary High School

Most Catholics will be well aware of where they were when it was announced that Pope Leo XIV would be the first American pope.

Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger will remember that he was flying Delta. Coach, to be more precise.

“We were taxiing, and I was in coach and squeezed in next to someone next to me, and just as soon as I turned… Read more

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Pope Leo XIV a ‘man of many gifts’ who will lead Church with grace, archbishop says - Detroit Catholic

Archbishop Weisenburger found out about Pope Leo XIV’s election on Detroit Metro Airport tarmac, expresses joy and shock

Hear our new pope (in his own words!) explain his devotion to St. Augustine, the great doctor of the Church.

Pope Leo XIV, the former Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, is an Augustinian and a former provincial of the Midwest Augustinians.

St. Augustine, pray for us!

“Peace be with you all!”

Listen to the first words of Pope Leo XIV as he addressed the world for the first time from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.