A Humble Shepherd: Pope Leo XIV’s Journey of Faith and Service

Dear All, 

As you can see in the news bulletin, the Delegation has been busy in the last two months. The Extended Government gathered to create the Delegation's action plan. Then there was the superior’s meeting, in which a workshop on the making of a community action plan was conducted, there was Claretian Mission Day and the painful moments of the death of the beloved fathers of Fr. Liju Kuriath and Fr. John Xue. We join them and their families in these moments of sorrow and loss. 

In the midst of all these activities the most momentous event of the decade captured our attention, the passing away of Pope Francis and the humble ceremonies of his funeral followed by the elction of the new Pope. 

In an age where the allure of power often overshadows the call to service, Pope Leo XIV—born Robert Francis Prevost—stands as a beacon of humility, courage, and unwavering faith. His life, marked by quiet dedication rather than worldly acclaim, offers a profound lesson in what it means to live the Gospel radically. For the Claretian family, whose charism is rooted in missionary zeal and love for the marginalized, Leo XIV’s story resonates deeply, reminding us that true leadership begins on one’s knees.

Elected in 2025 as the first American pope, Leo XIV embodies a Church that bridges divides. Fluent in five languages and conversant in Quechuan, he speaks to the heart of cultures. His critique of clericalism and emphasis on social justice continue Pope Francis’s reforms, yet his unique background—a Chicagoan with Peruvian citizenship—positions him to heal fractures between the Global North and South. His appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he addressed misconduct with both mercy and accountability, underscores his vision of a Church that is both holy and humble.

As we navigate a world fractured by greed and violence, Pope Leo XIV’s life challenges us to rediscover the power of humble service. To Claretians, he extends an implicit invitation: Let us be “acrobats who never fall,” balancing contemplation and action, tradition and renewal. May his journey inspire us to build a Church where the marginalized find a home, where justice flows like rivers, and where every altar boy dreaming of the priesthood knows that the greatest throne is still the foot of the Cross.

Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV, that his papacy may continue to reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd—a heart that beats for the least, the lost, and the lonely.

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF Delegation Superior