A NEW SHEPHERD FOR PEACE AND UNITY IN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD 

So much has happened in the last few weeks! There have been so many things that I’m behind on my messages—my apologies. Thankfully, most of them are good news. Let’s focus on the most important one.

On May 8, the white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel announced to the world the election of the 267th Pope in history. In just 20 hours of conclave, the Church once again demonstrated something our beloved Pope Francis emphasizes in The Joy of the Gospel: that “unity prevails over conflict.” Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American by birth and Peruvian by naturalization, was elected Pope. An Augustinian religious, he took the name Leo XIV, inspired by his predecessor, Leo XIII, a pontiff particularly known for being the author of the Church’s first major social encyclical, Rerum Novarum.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

The first Augustinian Pope, he holds a degree in mathematics and is very well equipped to defend, in this changing era, human dignity in the face of the development of artificial intelligence, and to uphold respect for human rights in the context of an increasingly invasive and impersonal technology.

His extensive missionary experience in Peru, particularly in vulnerable areas, has prepared him to understand and address complex issues such as the economic slowdown that is tearing apart the social fabric, rising violence, drug trafficking and climate change. Most importantly, it will lead him to remain close to those who suffer the most, guiding a missionary Church that goes forth, centred on Jesus Christ.

Based on his experience as Prior General of the Augustinians for two terms, we can assume that he will not focus on immediate results, much less on established positions. Most probably he will continue to prioritise the processes of reform of the Roman Curia initiated by his predecessor Pope Francis with Praedicate Evangelium, to gradually heal the abuses and clericalism, and to promote the participation of the laity, transparency and accountability in the Church. Only in this way will credibility be restored among believers and those who have strayed.

‘No more war’

An hour after the white smoke appeared, in his first speech, the Pope began his pontificate with these words: "Peace be with you all! This is the first greeting of the Risen Christ... I would also like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, all people, wherever they may be, all peoples, the whole earth... a disarmed peace and a peace that disarms, humble and persevering."

More than a month later, the theme of peace and reconciliation continues to appear as one of the priorities of Pope Leo's teaching, so that the Church may be a ‘beacon’ in the nights of the world. His repeated calls for peace resonate in our ears, especially at a time when war and violence continue to plague the world and fragile peace agreements are constantly threatened.

The reconciliation invoked ‘with an open heart’ by Leo XIV is based on encounter, dialogue and negotiation; it leaves disputes behind, eradicating any desire for conquest; it builds bridges by giving a voice to everyone, including the poor, young people and the marginalised. It is peace achieved through a ceasefire, not only of weapons but also of words: ‘Let us disarm words to disarm the earth,’ said the Pontiff, urging us to say no to the ‘war of words and images’ in order to create spaces for dialogue and communication ‘capable of listening.’

From our diverse realities, with our strengths and challenges, at WUCWO we wish to continue being peacemakers, building bridges through dialogue, encounter and a new way of communicating, in order to contribute to universal unity and fraternity.

A united synodal Church at the service of the mission

Pope Leo also proposes a Church that is, above all, united, as can be deduced from his papal motto, ‘In Illo unum – In the one Christ we are one’: a quote from Saint Augustine to explain that ‘although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.’ Precisely in the first audience he gave to the moderators of associations of the faithful, which I had the privilege of attending, he reminded us that unity and mission are two pillars of the life of the Church. He invited all ecclesial associations and movements to collaborate faithfully and generously with him, first of all, by being ‘leaven of unity’ and, secondly, by putting our talents ‘at the service of the mission, both in places of first evangelisation and in parishes and local ecclesial structures, in order to reach out to so many who are far away and sometimes, without knowing it, await the Word of life’.

On the vigil of the Jubilee of associations, movements and new communities, which some Board members attended, the Pope said that "God created the world so that we could be together. Synodality is the ecclesial name for this awareness. It is the path that asks each one to recognise their own debt and their own treasure, feeling part of a whole, outside of which everything withers, even the most original of charisms”. He asked that our associations and communities be places where fraternity and participation are practiced, not only as places of encounter, but as places of spirituality.

The following day, on the solemnity of Pentecost, at the Mass that concluded the Jubilee and which was attended by almost all the Board members, Leo XIV emphasised the importance for the Church of promoting mutual understanding and building bridges rather than barriers, reminding us that in the Church there can be neither forgotten nor despised. At WUCWO, we feel particularly challenged by his desire for a synodal, missionary and close Church, and we renew our willingness to serve where we are most needed, as women believers, united in faith and moved by love for the Gospel.

The Pope and families

Some of us, Board members, also had the opportunity of attending the closing Mass of the Jubilee for Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly in St. Peter's Square. During the Mass, the Holy Father strongly proclaimed that "families generate the future of peoples". The Pope asked spouses to be examples of consistency for their children and of love that educates in freedom; he asked children to be grateful to those who gave them life; and he asked grandparents and the elderly to be loving guardians full of wisdom. ‘In the family, faith is transmitted like bread on the table and the affections of the heart,’ he said.

Finally, we know that Pope Leo XIV will be a great shepherd for our times, but, undoubtedly, he needs our prayers and our help in the midst of a jubilee that calls us to be beacons of hope and artisans of peace. We thank him for his generous “yes” and ask the Holy Spirit to fill him with light and strength to guide the People of God with wisdom, courage and tenderness. We ask Mary, Queen of Peace and Patroness of WUCWO, to take him by the hand in this great responsibility he has assumed. I am sure that he will count with our prayers and the sincere affection of this great network of women who want to continue saying ‘yes’ to God and to the Church.

Mónica Santamarina

WUCWO President General