A media statement concerning the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, 9 May 2025.

Christ is risen! المسيح قام !  Χριστός ἀνέστη!

In his mercy, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great and Eternal High Priest, has called His Eminence, Robert Cardinal Prevost, to the Throne of Saint Peter in Rome.

His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, now “presides in love over the whole Church.” (St Ignatius the Great, 2nd cent)

We should give heartfelt thanks to the Good Lord who has not left the People of God as orphans but rather has given us a Father and Universal Shepherd.

The very first words the newly elected Pope Leo addressed to the multitudes and to the whole world were simply, “Peace be with all of you.”  May the gift of peace, the culture of world peace, be indeed the blessing for which his pontificate will be ever remembered.

Let us commend the new Holy Father to the love and care of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother given to us, given to the whole Church, from the Throne of Glory, the Holy and Life-Giving Cross. (Jn 19:26-27)

As His Holiness commences his apostolic ministry as Pope of Rome, I urge all our Melkite Clergy and Faithful in Australia and New Zealand, to pray with joyful thanksgiving that the Holy Father will stand watch for many years over the flock that bears the name of Christ.

With my paternal blessing and with prayers assured,

Robert Rabbat, DD

Eparch

Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand and All Oceania