Welcome to St. Therese Catholic Church
Welcome to St. Therese Catholic ChurchWelcome to St. Therese Catholic ChurchWelcome to St. Therese Catholic Church
May 8, 2025
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV.
He is the first North American to be elected pope and, before the conclave, was the U.S. cardinal most mentioned as a potential successor of St. Peter.
The white smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 p.m. Rome time and a few minutes later the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began to ring.
About 20 minutes later, the Vatican police band and two dozen members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard marched into St. Peter’s Square. They soon were joined by the marching band of the Italian Carabinieri, a branch of military police, and by units of the other branches of the Italian military.
As soon as news began to spread, people from all over Rome ran to join the tens of thousands who were already in the square for the smoke watch. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri was among them.
French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:12 p.m. He told the crowd: “I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope (‘Habemus papam’),” saying the cardinal’s name in Latin and announcing the name by which he will be called.
Twenty minutes later, the new Pope Leo came out onto the balcony, smiling and waving to the crowd wearing the white papal cassock, a red mozzetta or cape and a red stole to give his first public blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world).
The crowd shouted repeatedly “Viva il papa,” or “Long live the pope,” as Pope Leo’s eyes appeared to tear up.
“Peace be with you,” were Pope Leo’s first words to the crowd.
“My dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for God’s flock,” he said, praying that Christ’s peace would enter people’s hearts, their families, and “the whole earth.”
The peace of the risen Lord, he said, is “a peace that is unarmed and disarming.”
Signaling strong continuity with the papacy of Pope Francis, Pope Leo told the crowd that God “loves all of us unconditionally” and that the Church must be open to everyone.
“We are all in God’s hands,” he said, so “without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other, let us go forward.”
He thanked the cardinals who elected him, apparently on the fourth ballot of the conclave, “to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united Church always seeking peace, justice” and together being missionary disciples of Christ.
Telling the crowd that he was an Augustinian, he quoted St. Augustine, who said, “With you I am a Christian, and for you a bishop.”
“Together we must try to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges and always dialogues, that is always open to receiving everyone like this square with its arms open to everyone, everyone in need,” he said.
The new bishop of Rome told the people of his diocese and of the whole Catholic Church, “We want to be a synodal Church, a Church that journeys, a Church that seeks peace always, that always seeks charity, that wants to be close to people, especially those who are suffering.”
After asking the crowd to recite the Hail Mary with him, Pope Leo gave his first solemn blessing.
Cardinals over the age of 80, who were not eligible to enter the conclave, joined the crowd in the square. Among them were Cardinals Seán P. O’Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston; Donald W. Wuerl, the retired archbishop of Washington; and Marc Ouellet, retired prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
Pope Leo was born Sept. 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Augustinian-run Villanova University in Pennsylvania and joined the order in 1977, making his solemn vows in 1981. He holds a degree in theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
He joined the Augustinian mission in Peru in 1985 and largely worked in the country until 1999 when he was elected head of the Augustinians’ Chicago-based province. From 2001 to 2013, he served as prior general of the worldwide order. In 2014, Pope Francis named him bishop of Chiclayo, in northern Peru, and the pope asked him also to be apostolic administrator of Callao, Peru, from April 2020 to May 2021.
The new pope speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, and can read Latin and German.
Cutline for featured image: Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, waves to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican after his election as pope May 8, 2025. The new pope was born in Chicago. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Next to Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary is a model of prayer. She teaches us to pray by her own example. The Scripture points out certain important moments of prayer in Mary’s life, especially at the time of the Annunciation, and then while standing at the foot of the cross. The uniqueness of Mary’s way of praying consists of “pondering and treasuring” God’s marvelous deeds in her heart. The Magnificat of Mary is a beautiful example, where we find the grateful and rejoicing heart of Mary. She is filled with the Holy Spirit, gratitude, and joy while she sings the Magnificat. In this prayer of praise and thanksgiving, she remembers God’s greatness, His promises to Israel, His mercy, and His concern for the poor and lowly. The Church sings this Magnificat every day during the evening prayer. Another prayer which is so pleasing to the Blessed Mother is the Hail Mary, which is composed of the Angel Gabriel and Saint Elizabeth, who recognize Mary’s exalted state and proclaim Mary’s mission, which is to be the Mother of God’s Son. The tradition of the Church has composed many prayers in honor and praise of her blessedness, mission, and her role as intercessor. During the month of May, which is dedicated to Mary, we can offer some notable prayers, those prayers that are prayed throughout the world, namely: Hail Mary, the Magnificat, the Hail Holy Queen, the Memorare (Remember, O Most Holy), and the Rosary. During the month of May, let us especially pray the Rosary for peace in our families, in our world, and in our Church. I would like to recommend praying three Hail Mary prayers morning and evening. And if you like to have a very quick and powerful novena to the Blessed Mother for an emergency help, say the novena recommended by St. Mother Theresa, which is praying nine Hail Holy Queen continually with much devotion and love to the Blesed Mother of God. — Fr. Jesu
All graduating high school seniors please complete a Scholarship form located in the Narthex. If you plan to attend a college or trade school, and would like to receive a $250.00 Scholarship, please note that on the form. Please turn your form into the church office no later than May 15th.
Todos los estudiantes de último año de preparatoria que se gradúen, por favor, completen el formulario de beca que se encuentra en el Nártex. Si planean asistir a una universidad o escuela vocacional y desean recibir una beca de $250.00, indíquenlo en el formulario. Entreguen el formulario en la oficina de la iglesia a más tardar el 15 de mayo.
Mother’s Day Mass envelopes are available in the narthex. Kindly make use of them to request masses for your mothers, living or deceased.
Los sobres para la misa del Día de la Madre están disponibles en el nártex. Úselos para solicitar misas para sus madres, vivas o fallecidas.
Our Annual Parish Appreciation Dinner will be on Friday, May 16th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Please complete a green RSVP card and place it in the offertory basket, give it to a hospitality minister or turn it into the church office no later than Monday, May 5th.
Nuestra Cena Parroquial Anual de Agradecimiento se celebrará el viernes 16 de mayo de 6:00 a 9:00 pm. Por favor, complete una tarjeta verde de confirmación de asistencia y colóquela en la canasta del ofertorio, entréguela a un ministro de hospitalidad o entréguela en la oficina de la iglesia a más tardar el lunes 5 de mayo.
We are a Catholic Community-based organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place. With the help of our tireless staff, we organize fundraisers, exciting community-building events, and partner with community organization.
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OUR MISSION
Nurture the Little Flowers of God’s Garden to grow and bear fruit.
Nutrir las Pequeñas Flores del Jardín de Dios para crecer y dar fruto.
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