A Prayer for Pope Leo XIV by Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Come, Holy Spirit, Breath of the Living God,
Fall afresh upon Pope Leo XIV
as he embraces the sacred call to lead your global Church
in a time of deep yearning for healing and renewal.
Spirit of Pentecost,
You who speak in every language,
who lift up the lowly and challenge unjust power,
anoint Pope Leo with the fire of compassion,
the clarity of vision,
and the strength to build bridges among all God’s people.
May he draw near to the People of God,
especially to those at the margins—
the excluded, the silenced, the overlooked.
May he recognize in our women-led communities
the Spirit of Jesus alive in the joyful proclamation of the Gospel,
the celebration of sacraments,
and the honoring of the radical equality of the baptized.
We pray that Pope Leo XIV
will be open to the lived wisdom of grassroots communities,
where ministry flows from mutual discernment,
where leadership is shared,
and where all are welcomed at the table of Christ’s love—
without exception.
O Spirit of Justice and Mercy,
guide our new pope to walk humbly with all your people.
May he lead with a servant’s heart,
blessing what has long been silenced,
and opening doors long shut.
We entrust Pope Leo XIV to You, Spirit of Divine Love.
Make him a courageous witness to the Gospel,
a healer of wounds,
and a prophet of transformation
for a Church becoming ever more whole.
Amen.