First Anniversary of the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his one year anniversary with a pastoral visit to Pompeii and Naples. The one-day visit will begin at the Shrine of Pompeii, where the Pope will meet with members of a local charitable organization and the vulnerable people whom they serve. There, he will preside over a solemn Mass, which will include the traditional supplication to the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, a devotion that has been very meaningful to him since the beginning of his pontificate.

One of the first things Pope Leo XIV said from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica upon his election May 8, 2025, was “I am a son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian.” The statement signaled to the world and its 1.4 billion Catholics that they were going to experience a papacy heavily influenced by a Church Father and doctor of the Church — one whose extensive writings have endured the past 16 centuries and continue to shape the Church today.

As the one-year anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election to the papacy approaches, here is a selection of 12 quotes from the new pontiff on various topics, looking back over the 12 months since he became pope May 8, 2025.

1. “I am a son of St. Augustine, an Augustinian, who said, ‘For you I am a bishop, with you, I am a Christian.’ In this sense we can all walk together toward that homeland that God has prepared.” — Pope Leo in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica May 8, 2025

2. “Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” — Pope Leo at the Mass for the inauguration of his petrine ministry May 18, 2025

3. “Migrants and refugees remind the Church of her pilgrim dimension, perpetually journeying towards her final homeland, sustained by a hope that is a theological virtue.” — Pope Leo’s message for the Oct. 4-5 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, given July 25, 2025

4. “Be agents of communion, capable of breaking down the logic of division and polarization, of individualism and egocentrism. Centre yourselves on Christ, so as to overcome the logic of the world, of fake news, of frivolity, with the beauty and light of truth.” — Pope Leo’s address to Catholic digital missionaries and influencers July 29, 2025

5. “When a tool controls someone, that person becomes a tool: a commodity on the market and, in turn, a piece of merchandise. Only genuine relationships and stable connections can build good lives.” — Pope Leo at a vigil for the Jubilee of Youth Aug. 2, 2025

6. “Friendship with Christ, which forms the basis of faith, is not just one aid among many others for building the future; it is our guiding star.” — Pope Leo at a vigil for the Jubilee of Youth Aug. 2, 2025

7. “On the wounded faces of the poor, we see the suffering of the innocent and, therefore, the suffering of Christ himself.” — Pope Leo in his first apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te” (“I have loved you”), promulgated Oct. 9, 2025

8. “Marian spirituality is at the service of the Gospel: It reveals its simplicity. Our affection for Mary of Nazareth leads us to join her in becoming disciples of Jesus.” — Pope Leo at the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality Oct. 12, 2025

9. “When we consider the great material, cultural, scientific and artistic treasures, faith shines not because these goods are to be undervalued, but because without faith they lose their meaning.” — Pope Leo at the canonization of seven new saints Oct. 19, 2025

10. “Life shines brightly not because we are rich, beautiful or powerful. Instead, it shines when we discover within ourselves the truth that we are called by God, have a vocation, have a mission, that our lives serve something greater than ourselves.” — Pope Leo at the Mass for the Jubilee of Education, where he proclaimed St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the Church Nov. 1, 2025

11. “AI can process information quickly, but it cannot replace human intelligence. And don’t ask it to do your homework for you. It cannot offer real wisdom.” — Pope Leo at a digital encounter with youth during the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis Nov. 21, 2025

12. “Peace, in fact, cannot be decreed: It must be embraced and lived. It is a gift from God, which unfolds through patient and collective effort. It is everyone’s responsibility, beginning with civil authorities.” — Pope Leo in his meeting with the authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps in Yaoundé, Cameroon, April 15, 2026

(Quotes taken from OSV News)

PRAYER FOR POPE LEO XIV
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Pope Leo, the new shepherd of Your Church.
Grant him wisdom like Solomon, courage like Peter, and compassion like Christ.
Strengthen him with Your grace as he leads the faithful in truth and love.
May his words and actions reflect Your will, bringing unity, peace, and renewal to the Church and the world.
Protect him from all harm, and bless him with health of body, clarity of mind, and purity of heart.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Peter, St. Augustine and all the saints,
may Pope Leo be a faithful servant, a beacon of hope, and a true father to all. Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer by Doora-Barefield Parish)