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We Have a Pope… and a Mission! – Letter from Our Executive Director
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends,
Like many of you, I am still processing my emotions regarding the papal election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, a longtime missioner to Peru who grew up some twelve miles from my home of the past decade. When I worked in Hyde Park, I walked by Catholic Theological Union—that great school of missionary formation and our new pope’s M.Div. alma mater—twice daily, as I made my way between the Maryknoll formation house and the Metra station at Lake Park and 53rd. Although he preceded my time in Chicago by several decades, there is something deeply humbling and humanizing about recognizing in the Holy Father the people you’ve met and the ground you’ve walked, a reminder that St. Peter himself was, first and foremost, a simple follower of Jesus.
In these early days of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, there will be much “reading of the tea leaves” to discern the pastoral vision, priorities, and style of our new pontiff. Following the announcement of his election, we saw immediate reactions, both positive and negative, based on his experience, past statements, and even social media posts. Those of us committed to mission and solidarity found instant resonances in his experience in Latin America, not to mention the selection of the name Leo, recalling the legacy of Leo XIII as a trailblazer in Catholic social thought. Still, we will have to wait and see how the Spirit guides the Holy Father in his new role. For now, though, I think it is helpful to reflect on some of his first public statements as pope:
“To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the whole world,” he said in his first address to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, “we want to be a Church of the Synod, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close, especially to those who suffer.” He echoed Pope Francis’ dream of a missionary church, one which seeks “justice, always seeking to work as men and women who are faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries.”
This is the mission to which we, as a community of faith leaders, have committed our lives and work. This summer, USCMA members, partners, friends, and everyone committed to mission and evangelization are invited to join us for a two-day summit near Milwaukee, where we will discuss, discern, and determine how we are called to carry this mission forward in the current moment for our Church, nation, and world. Read more below and we hope you can join us this Summer.
In mission and solidarity,
Kevin Foy