In the second of a two-part series for The Record, Irish professor Dr Eamon Con-way from the University of Notre Dame Australia gives an insight into the up-coming pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby as he rides in the popemobile around St Peter's Square at the Vatican before his first weekly general audience on 21 May 2025. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media. By Rev Dr Eamon Conway Pope Leo intends, albeit in his own way and according to his own style, to press forward with the same priorities that Pope Francis held. Pope Leo has called for a renewal of everyone...

A religious sister gives Pope Leo XIV a jar of cookies at the end of his meeting with the national directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on 22 May 2025. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media. Recognising themselves as members of the one body of Christ, all Catholics should sense an urgency to share the Gospel message of God's love with others and to welcome them ...

Less than 48 hours after his election, Pope Leo XIV made a humble pilgrimage – riding in a minivan to a Marian shrine outside Rome and stopping at St Mary Major to pray at Pope Francis’s tomb and before the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani.

In a festive St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV led his first Regina Coeli, urging prayers for vocations, peace in Ukraine and Gaza, and honoring Mother’s Day with warm wishes to all mothers. Entrusting it all to Mary, Queen of Peace, he renewed the plea: “Never again war.”

In his first address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV called the Catholic Church alive, beautiful, and strong, urging renewed commitment to Evangelii Gaudium and modern Catholic social teaching — especially in the face of AI and today’s evolving world.

In his first public homily, Pope Leo XIV called the Church to recognise God’s marvels, proclaim Christ boldly, and witness with humility. He reaffirmed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” urging believers to face today’s world with courage, faith, and love.

Pope Leo XIV has urged journalists to be peacemakers, rejecting prejudice and anger in their reporting. On 12 May, he also called for the release of imprisoned journalists, reminding the world: “The suffering of these journalists challenges the conscience of nations… we must safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.

During Good Shepherd Sunday Mass, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reflected on the meaning of vocation and the courage it takes to say yes to God’s call. Speaking at St Mary’s Cathedral, he encouraged openness to vocations and highlighted the qualities of faith, love, and service, linking them to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, whose own journey began with a simple “yes” to God.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said he hopes Pope Leo XIV will “be a dear brother and collaborator … for the rapprochement of our churches, for the unity of the whole Christian family, and for the benefit of all of humankind.”