The Church in Canada Prepares for the Liturgical Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Leo XIV
Friday, May 16 2025This Sunday, 18 May 2025, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, the Church celebrates the liturgical inauguration of the Petrine ministry of Leo XIV, Servant of the Servants of God, during a Mass that will take place at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The faithful and all people of goodwill, wherever in Canada they may be, are invited to share in this moment of great joy for the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV is the new successor of the Apostle Peter. Saint Peter, as described in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, was the first leader of the Church to whom were given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:18); he strengthened the Apostles in the faith; proclaimed Jesus’ Resurrection, and continued His ministry of teaching and healing (Mark 8: 28, Luke 22:32; John 20:6; Acts 2:14-49, 3:2-10).
From the moment he stepped onto the loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo has invited us to turn to the Virgin Mary for her protection and intercession. This was manifested when he led the crowd, which had gathered to greet him for the first time, in praying the Hail Mary. With Mary, Pope Leo introduced his ministry to the world, just as through Mary herself, the incarnate Word became flesh and entered the world.
Looking forward to Sunday’s Mass of Inauguration for Pope Leo XIV, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary, stated from Rome: “We welcome our Holy Father, Pope Leo, with open hearts and trust that God, in calling him to this universal mission, will give him the courage and fidelity to proclaim the Gospel and thus strengthen the followers of Jesus in their witness of faith. Together, with Pope Leo, let us take up this responsibility in following Christ and thus promote a greater desire among our brothers and sisters to work for justice, peace and friendship in the world.”