Good Shepherd Sunday | 4 Sunday Easter
The surprise election of Pope Leo XIV invites us to reflect on the voice of the Good Shepherd still speaking to the Church today. From missionary service in Peru to leadership in Rome, Pope Leo brings a heart for the poor, a passion for justice, and a deep commitment to synodality. As we rejoice, we also take up his first request: pray for him.
Listen to homily here:
Do you remember where you were when you heard that white smoke was coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney?
It was an exciting moment for me. I was here at the parish office that Thursday morning when my phone began blowing up with messages: “There’s white smoke!” I remembered from Pope Francis’s election that it would take about an hour or so—maybe a bit longer—between seeing the white smoke and seeing the new Holy Father presented on the balcony.
As the announcement drew near, some of our parish staff and parishioners gathered in the office, watching with growing expectation. Then, finally, the Master of Ceremonies emerged, parted the curtains, and announced the name of the new Pope. It was my chance to test my Latin… and I failed! I didn’t recognize the name right away. But then I heard it—Cardinal Prevost had been elected Pope, and he had taken the name Pope Leo.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, stepped onto the balcony, and joy filled the square and spread throughout the world.
It feels providential that this historic moment took place just days before Good Shepherd Sunday. Every year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Church reflects on Christ the Good Shepherd—the one who lays down his life for the sheep. The Pope, as the Vicar of Christ, is called to mirror that shepherding love in a unique way.
For many, Pope Leo’s election came as a surprise. I don’t know if any of you had money riding on the conclave—I certainly didn’t! While his name appeared on some lists, he wasn’t widely seen as a frontrunner. It felt like he came out of nowhere. But, of course, Pope Leo has a long journey behind him—a life of listening to the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and responding with generosity and service.
I was watching the coverage when an interview came on with one of Pope Leo’s older brothers, speaking from Chicago. It was a delightful, funny conversation. He shared that Pope Leo’s favourite baseball team is the White Sox and spoke warmly about their upbringing. Especially touching was what he said about their mother—how deeply she shaped her son’s faith and his desire to love God and neighbour. On this Mother's Day, it’s fitting to give thanks for the powerful influence that mothers and grandmothers so often have in drawing us to God.
Pope Leo discerned a vocation to the priesthood early in life and entered the Augustinian Order—a religious community founded by St. Augustine, one of the great doctors of the Church. The Augustinians are a mendicant order, like the Franciscans and Dominicans. Pope Leo studied at places like Villanova University and later served for many years as a missionary in Peru, teaching and working in parish ministry.
Eventually, his Augustinian community elected him as their global leader—a role he held for the maximum term of eight years. With Augustinian communities in over 50 countries, this was a significant responsibility and a sign of the deep trust his confreres had in his leadership and wisdom.
After his time as Prior General, Pope Francis called him to serve as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, a diocese marked by significant poverty. Again, his missionary heart was evident. Two years ago, Pope Francis called him back to Rome to lead the Dicastery for Bishops—a critical role that involves helping appoint bishops around the world. With this appointment, he was made a Cardinal.
And now, surprisingly, providentially, he is Pope Leo XIV.
What might we expect from our new Holy Father? While it is still early, there are already a few signs pointing to his priorities.
First, Pope Leo clearly has a missionary heart and a deep love for the poor. His life and ministry—especially in Peru—demonstrate his closeness to those on the margins. In this, he continues the legacy of Pope Francis, bringing the gospel to the peripheries and showing the compassion of Christ to those most in need.
Second, his choice of name is telling. Leo XIV deliberately echoes Leo XIII, who guided the Church through the upheavals of the Industrial Revolution and authored the encyclical Rerum Novarum, a foundational document of Catholic social teaching. In a recent speech, Pope Leo XIV suggested that today we are on the cusp of a new revolution—driven by technology, war, and especially artificial intelligence. He sees the need for the Church to respond to these new realities with a clear affirmation of human dignity and a renewed commitment to justice and truth.
Third, Pope Leo has expressed a strong desire for a Church in which every baptized person is valued. Continuing the path of synodality emphasized by Pope Francis—and what Pope Benedict called co-responsibility—he is calling us to journey together. From his first speech on the loggia, he made this vision clear by quoting St. Augustine: “For you, I am a bishop. But with you, I am a Christian.” These words affirm that all the baptized have a share in the life and mission of the Church.
Ultimately, Pope Leo will rely—as must we—on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. His election reminds us that God's plans are often unexpected. As we gathered here on Thursday and heard his name, I was struck by something Fr. Mahad said immediately: “The Holy Spirit!” What a beautiful and simple response. The Holy Spirit leads the Church.
Pope Leo’s coat of arms bears the motto: In the One, we are all one—again from St. Augustine. It reminds us that in God, we are united. We are one body in Christ, following Jesus the Good Shepherd together.
In that same interview, Pope Leo’s brother acknowledged the enormous burden his brother now carries. It is a weighty role, and the Pope himself has asked us to pray for him. So as we celebrate, let us also take seriously his request. Let us pray that Pope Leo will be a faithful shepherd, attuned to the Holy Spirit, as he leads us in love and truth.
May we all continue to walk together as disciples of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, serving God and neighbour with joy.
