The Most Reverend John O. Barres, fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, released the following statement after the selection of Chicago, Illinois-born Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new Pope. The first ever American-born Pontiff took the name Leo XIV.
Bishop Barres is the spiritual leader of the estimated 1.2 million Catholics in Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
"With my brother bishops, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, I give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of our new Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
As the 267th Successor of Saint Peter, we pray Pope Leo XIV will receive every grace to strengthen the Church in unity and peace, preach Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and confirm the Faith.
With years of global missionary experience in Peru and leadership in his Augustinian community here in the United States, we pray, too, that his evangelizing pastoral charity and wisdom will guide the mission of the Church he now serves as Supreme Pontiff."