Archbishop Eamon Martin welcomes election of Pope Leo XIV

Archbishop Eamon Martin during his 'pilgrimage of hope' to New York and Washington for Saint Patrick's Day 2025 (CCO archive)

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, currently leading a pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of Armagh to Lourdes, has sent this statement:

With great joy, I welcome our new PopeLeoXIV. At the end of February I and the other Irish archbishops - Dermot Farrell, Kieran O'Reilly, Francis Duffy - met with him, and he came across as a humble and respectful listener, wanting to learn as much as possible about the Church in Ireland. He is a calm, affable and approachable person. He is a friend of Ireland and no doubt the Augustinian communities at home will be delighted with the news.

Pope Leo is a missionary at heart with a breadth of international experience and background - having ministered in three continents. His opening words about peace and 'building bridges' indicate that he wishes to work for reconciliation and unity in the Church and in the world.

Pope Leo's choice of name suggests that a commitment to Catholic social teaching will be a hallmark of his papacy. Please pray for him. Saint Peter intercede for him. Our Lady of Grace watch over him.

I pray: God bless Pope Leo XIV. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon him with all the graces he needs to be a courageous and gentle shepherd. Fill him with faith, hope and love. May he govern with wisdom and fidelity to Christ and the Gospel. May he be an inspiring missionary of peace, healing and reconciliation in the world. Give him health and strength to do all that you ask of him. Amen.

Tomorrow morning, (Friday, 9 May), at the grotto in Lourdes, France I will use the name of Pope Leo XIV for the first time at Mass and pray for our new pope. I'm here on the Archdiocese pilgrimage and Mass is at 7.30am Irish time available on the Lourdes website: www.lourdes-france.org live at the grotto.