Welcome Pope Leo XIV: CELAM Bishops Extend Warm Greetings and Hopeful Message
Just two days after Pope Leo XIV sent a heartfelt telegram to the bishops of CELAM, they responded with a letter expressing their joy at his pontificate and calling his election “a sign of hope.”
By Kielce Gussie
As they gathered for their 40th Ordinary General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) took the opportunity to send a message of gratitude and support to Pope Leo XIV. In their letter, the bishops conveyed their excitement at his election as the 266th Successor to St. Peter and thanked him for his encouraging words in the recent telegram.
A Sign of Hope
The bishops of CELAM described Pope Leo’s election as “the providential work of God” and a beacon of hope in the wake of the fruits of Francis’ pontificate. They reaffirmed their commitment to unity with the Pope and to serving as a missionary Church, enriching the center from the periphery and proclaiming with authenticity and simplicity.
Remembering Latin America and the Caribbean
While celebrating their 40th General Assembly, the bishops also marked the 70th anniversary of the First General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate in Rio de Janeiro in 1955. They reiterated their dedication to evangelization and highlighted the challenging sociopolitical reality of the region, calling for the Pope’s prophetic voice to inspire justice and peace in the face of conflict, drug trafficking, and forced migration.
The bishops emphasized their commitment to the Church’s mission and caring for all of Creation, following the principles of Laudato si’. They concluded their letter by extending a formal invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit Latin America and the Caribbean, as the people there eagerly await his presence and apostolic blessing.
The heartfelt message from the CELAM bishops reflects their deep commitment to unity, hope, and service, as they look forward to walking together with Pope Leo XIV in the journey of faith and mission ahead.
