My heart dropped at first. Because I knew he was American, but I had no idea who he was. Seeing him, his demeanor and emotion - I was pleased. I couldn't help but attribute his election to Our Lady's intercession. Due to his Augustinian roots, scholarship and devotion, I think he will have a charisma and sensibility much like Pope Benedict. Anyway, as a Catholic I'm all for him, as I have been for all his predecessors. I'm confident and unafraid and grateful.
"In his address as Pope, Leo XIV said, “Today is the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our blessed Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church and for peace in the world.”"
At the beginning of May, Cardinal Burke entrusted his prayers to Our Lady of Good Counsel, praying for God's will and good counsel, inviting the faithful to join him in novena. It seems to me Our Lady answered. It's clearly due to her - Mediatrix of all Grace, especially considering May 8th is the Augustinian feast day of Our Lady of Grace, a title traditionally held by the Augustinians. Leo is part of the Augustinian Province dedicated to OL of Good Counsel and the shrine in Italy is in Augustinian custody. May 8th is also the feast of OL of the Rosary of Pompeii as well as the feast of St. Michael Archangel. People who look for signs need not look any further.
Cardinal Burke tweeted this statement yesterday:
"Please join me in thanking Our Lord for the election of Pope Leo XIV, Successor of Saint Peter, as the Shepherd of the Church throughout the world. The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at La Crosse has a particularly strong bond with the Roman Pontiff, especially through its affiliation with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I urge all pilgrims and friends of the Shrine to pray fervently for Pope Leo XIV that Our Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Peter Apostle, and Pope Saint Leo the Great, will grant him abundant wisdom, strength, and courage to do all that Our Lord is asking of Him in these tumultuous times. May God bless Pope Leo and grant him many years. Viva il Papa!"
Indeed, I am most grateful for Pope Leo XIV.
