BISHOP of Limerick Brendan Leahy has met he new Pope several times and says he found him “a humble, kind man who will bring the qualities needed for these challenging times”.
Bishop Leahy recalled that the new Pontiff spoke him of his visit to Limerick and the Augustinian House in the city.
Commenting on the election of the new leader to fill the seat of St Peter, Bishop Leahy said that Pope Leo XIV’s election has the potential to advance the mission of peace and hope the world needs.
Bishop Leahy said there was a real sense that it was a seminal moment for the Church and led to great joy locally and internationally.
“There was a tangible sense of joy and excitement from St Peter’s Square in Rome and it was something that resonated across our own diocese here,” Bishop Leahy said.
“People I met or who contacted me felt it was a moment of hope. This is largely because he will bring forward the approach of Pope Francis, an approach of journeying, of hope, and peace.”
Bishop Leahy said, however, that the road will be a challenging one but one that Pope Leo XIV will travel with courage and love.
“It’s an enormous responsibility now falling on his shoulders. In fact, it’s hard to imagine how one person could carry such expectation, but he is a man of great strength and calm and I’ve no doubt he will follow in the footsteps of St Peter with great love, humility, and humanity.”
Bishop Leahy added: “I felt that his announcement at St Peter’s Basilica was very moving. He was clearly quite emotional and humble in that moment. I also believe the charism of St Peter is at work in the Pope and I’m certain that there will be great warmth for his mission.”
Of his previous engagements with Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Leahy said: “He is a very calm man, no airs or graces, a listener, very reflective. I was struck in his speech by his focus on peace, bridge-building, dialogue, and justice.”
“When I met him, he spoke about visiting the Augustinian House on O’Connell Street in Limerick. He even remembered the name of the street. He would have visited Ireland as part of his role as the prior general of the Augustinian worldwide order. It’s great to have made that connection with him.”
