A statement On the ELECTION of

His Holiness, pope LEO XIV, Bishop of Rome,

Patriarch of the West and Primate of Italy

8 May 2025

On the Feast of Apostle John the Theologian

Christ is Risen! Truly, He has Risen!

To the faithful of the Roman Church:

The Council of Bishops of the United American Orthodox Catholic Church offers its heartfelt greetings and solemn congratulations to His Holiness, Pope LEO XIV, the newly elected Bishop of Rome and Successor to the Apostle Peter, on the occasion of his ascent to the Petrine See.

Within the mystery of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, our jurisdictions remain distinct in structure and discipline, yet united in our confession of Christ, the Incarnate Word, and in our commitment to the Gospel He entrusted to His Church. The election of a new Pontiff is of profound significance, not only for the faithful of the Roman Church, but for all Christians who look to the ancient sees and their witness in the world.

We give thanks to God for the pontificate of His Holiness Pope Francis, who served with humility, compassion, and tireless dedication to the message of divine mercy. His voice on behalf of the poor, the forgotten, and the marginalized bore true witness to the Gospel’s call to serve the least of our siblings. We pray that his successor will carry forward this legacy of love and justice, and continue to proclaim the tender mercy of God to all peoples.

In Pope Leo XIV, the first Bishop of Rome from the United States of America, we recognize a pastor who emerges from the heart of a people marked by labor, struggle, and hope. His long-standing dedication to the working class and the poor reflects a Gospel-centered commitment to social justice and human dignity. We pray that his papacy may be marked by a renewed emphasis on the Church’s mission to the poor, the laborer, the refugee, and all those often unseen by the world.

We commend the newly elected Bishop of Rome to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, praying that he may shepherd his flock with wisdom, courage, and compassion. May his ministry be a light of hope in an age marked by division and suffering, and may it contribute to the deepening of mutual understanding among the Churches of East and West.

On behalf of the Council of Bishops,

With warm and joyful blessing in the Risen Christ,

✠NICHOLAS

Presiding Archbishop
First Chair of the Council of Bishops
United American Orthodox Catholic Church