BISHOP VLADIMIR FEKETE: MAY GOD GUIDE AND BLESS POPE LEO XIV

May 8, 2025 will go down in the history of the Catholic Church as the day of the election of the 267th Bishop of Rome, the successor of the Apostle Peter and the Head of the Universal Church. The cardinals who gathered for the conclave in the Vatican elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who had headed the Dicastery for Bishops for the past several years, as Pope on the second day of the conclave. The newly elected Pope chose the name Leo for himself.

As we could learn from the media Holy Father Leo XIV was born on September 14, 1955, near Chicago, USA, and entered the Augustinian Order, where he held the position of Prior General for two terms. He served in the mission in Peru, where, by decision of Pope Francis, he was elevated to the rank of Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo. Pope Francis invited him to Rome and appointed him Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery, which assists the Pope in the process of appointing new bishops. In this capacity, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal.

We thank God that the Church has received in the person of the new Pope a spiritual shepherd with rich experience in religious life and in the spiritual accompaniment of those who want to serve God sincerely and selflessly. We also thank him for his missionary heart and zeal to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples.

Let us pray together that the Church, under the wise leadership of the newly elected Pope, will continue to diligently spread the Gospel and strengthen unity among Christians. Let us pray that the Church, with its authority, will promote dialogue, reduce poverty and end military conflicts.

May the peace of Christ, to which the Holy Father Leo called immediately after his election, reign on earth and help unite humanity, so painfully divided and suffering.

Holy Father, we thank the Lord God for you and pray that your words and the example of your sacrificial life will touch the hearts of not only the faithful, but also the politicians of the world, as well as non-believers, and that your service will contribute to the much-desired peace on earth!

In Baku, May 9, 2025

Bishop Vladimir Fekete