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Anglicans rejoice on election of Pope Leo XIV

Published on 
May 9, 2025

The Anglican Church of Canada shares in the joy and sends prayers and well-wishes to our Catholic siblings in Christ on the election and appointment of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope and Bishop of Rome.

We pray:

“God our hope, in every generation you raise up shepherds to guide and care for your people. We give you thanks that you have raised up Robert Francis Prévost to serve as Leo the Fourteenth, Bishop of Rome and the 267th Pope.

May he please you with his holiness, lead with a prophetic imagination and love with a compassionate heart — that the unity of your church may be revealed and praise be given to your glory, through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.”

The Anglican Church of Canada and the Roman Catholic Church in Canada have been engaged in dialogue for more than 50 years, growing in awareness on areas of theological agreement, finding numerous ways to express our unity in mission and contributing to the theological work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. Encouraged by Pope Leo’s commitment to building bridges, we look forward to continued fruitful dialogue.

May his leadership be a blessing to all the faithful.

[Signed +Anne Germond]
Archbishop Anne Germond
Acting Primate

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.