We joyfully welcome the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to the papal throne as Leo XIV! We are grateful to the Holy Spirit, who guided the work of the Cardinals and has given the Church a new shepherd.

In a historical moment marked by suffering and deep divisions, the unity of the Church–as shown by the swiftness of this election–bears witness to the possibility of true peace that the world longs for, and which the new Pontiff strongly reaffirmed in his very first words. He reminded us that “God loves us” and therefore “evil will not prevail,” thus pointing us towards the source of our hope: “Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love.”

The Servant of God Fr. Luigi Giussani testified throughout his life that the hope found in encountering Christ can only be experienced within the communion of the Church–that is, in obedience to the successor of Peter. The entire movement of Communion and Liberation assures Pope Leo XIV of its support for the demanding task entrusted to him, along with its faithful and passionate commitment to “walk together”–echoing his own words–“as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.”

Let us pray to Christ to always grant His Vicar His light and strength, and we reaffirm our complete readiness to tirelessly serve the whole Church, in whatever ways Pope Leo XIV sees as most urgent, so that the love of God may reach every person.

May Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, whose feast we celebrate today, intercede for the Holy Father and for the people of God.