Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Election of Pope Leo XIV at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington May 12.
“We express gratitude to the Lord for providing us with a new successor of St. Peter, who is ever faithful to his promise to be with us and his church forever,” said Bishop Burbidge. “At this Mass, we also pray for Pope Leo XIV as we entrust him to God’s protection and the prayers of our Blessed Mother who the pope is very devoted to.”
Bishop Burbidge said that the pope’s first words from the balcony, moments after his election, had profound meaning. “Upon being introduced to the world, Pope Leo XIV greeted us with these words — “Peace be with all of you, the same words our Risen Lord spoke to his disciples: This is the peace for which we long for in our world, nation, and very lives.”
The conclave and entire election process offered a teaching moment, said the bishop. “As they entered the Sistine Chapel to cast their votes, the cardinals from all around the world did so two by two,” he said. “Our Lord wants us to know that we are meant to walk through this life together, accompanying, helping one another, lifting up each other in faith and allowing nothing to divide us. Only when we live in such a way will our world and nation know the peace of the Lord. That is why Pope Leo XIV has told us, ‘Everyone, everyone, needs our charity, presence, dialogue and love.’ ”
The message of peace emphasized by Bishop Burbidge and the pope was welcomed by those attending Mass. “Oh, I love our new pope,” said Grace Williams of the Ghanaian Catholic Community. “Let there be peace. There’s too much fighting in the world. I love peace.”
Morgan Casimir brought her two young boys and infant daughter to the cathedral to pray for Pope Leo XIV. “Peace is so important in times like this when there’s just so much craziness with everybody fighting each other,” she said. “To hear somebody bridging the gap and calling for peace really sets the tone for his papacy.”
“Can you imagine that moment when having received the necessary votes, Cardinal Prevost was asked, ‘Do you accept?’,” asked Bishop Burbidge. “He said ‘yes’. How was he able to offer such a profound yes to an extraordinary mission and task to be the successor of St. Peter on whom Our Lord has built his church? I think it is because of all the small ‘yeses’ he offered to the Lord throughout his life. We are called to do the same each day. That means we say yes to his ways and commands, even when it means others may reject us. Yes, to his will, and plan for our lives. Yes, to the crosses he asks us to carry with the promise to provide the strength we need. For this reason, Pope Leo XIV reminds us, ‘The task of all Christians is to commit to a daily journey of conversion of fidelity to the Lord.’
“Yes, in him we find our peace.”
