Archbishop: Allow pope time ‘to bring forth his vision for the Church’

A portrait of Pope Leo XIV stands at the foot of the sanctuary in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis on May 13 as Archbishop Charles C. Thompson elevates the Eucharist during a Mass of thanksgiving for the election of the new pope. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)

By Natalie Hoefer

The entrance to SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis was draped with gold and white bunting on May 13 in celebration of the election of Pope Leo XIV.

It made for a festive decoration for those who walked through the cathedral doors that day to worship at a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Election of Pope Leo XIV, as did the portrait of Pope Leo on a white cloth-covered easel at the foot of the sanctuary. A dozen priests concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Charles C. Thompson. (See more news about our new pope)

In his homily, the archbishop noted the common inclination to fast-forward to the end of a film or skip to the back of a book to see how the story ends.

“We just want to know the outcome,” he said. “So, it seems, with the election of a new pope.

“Various news outlets and blogs, both secular and Catholic, have been trying to pin down the next pope since the death of Pope Francis was announced … . Everybody was trying to pinpoint, kind of peg this person.”

Since the election of Pope Leo on May 8, he continued, “everything seems to be about trying to label, pigeonhole or pre-determine his papacy,” said Archbishop Thompson. “We will learn more about Pope Leo XIV in the coming days, weeks, months and, God willing, years ahead.

“In the meantime, we must give him a fair chance to be himself, to become familiar with his new ministry, to bring forth his vision for the Church, carrying forth the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.”

Still, looking at Pope Leo’s past can give indications of what his papacy might look like.

“Pope Leo, exemplifying the role of the pope as bridge builder, has already spoken of the need for encounter, dialogue, welcoming, and continued focus on being intentionally a synodal Church,” the archbishop said.

“… Described as being humble and reserved, Pope Leo XIV is the first to remind us of how necessary it is to listen and heed the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, above all else.”

And, as he went on to say, “He has already revealed much in his choice of a name, pointing to the need for Catholic social teaching.”

Archbishop Thompson noted that the date of the Mass coincided with the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

“On this memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, recalling the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917, we do well to hold our new Holy Father in prayer, to entrust him to the protection of the Blessed Mother,” he said.

“Trusting our Holy Father to Our Lady, we invoke her grace, her intercession. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.”

John Herr was among those who came to the cathedral to worship at the Mass of thanksgiving for the new pope.

“I wanted to give God thanks for selecting such a wonderful new Holy Father for us, and to pray that his papacy is fruitful for doing the work of Jesus Christ,” said the Butler University faculty member, who is a member of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

He admitted he was surprised that the new pope was from the United States.

“But it’s not so surprising after you discard [his nationality], because he’s been a very effective leader in a bunch of different roles for quite some time.”

Sara Cabrera also worshiped at the Mass at the cathedral, enjoying the opportunity to commemorate both the feast of Our Lady of Fatima and the election of Pope Leo.

“So far what I’ve heard about him, I’ve agreed with” said the 18-year-old member of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis.

“And I also learned that he started a Students for Life [of America] group when he was in college, which was pretty neat to know,” said Cabrera, who is involved in pro-life ministry. According to Students for Life of America, Pope Leo started a group at Villanova University while he was a student there in the 1970s.

“I really like the values that he’s been bringing so far,” she said. “I’m really excited for the upcoming papacy.” †