Dear ReKnew Your Faith friends,

It is with great joy and thanksgiving that we announce Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (O.S.A.) has been chosen as our new Holy Father. This 69‑year‑old American bishop – a member of the Order of St. Augustine – was elected the 267th successor of Saint Peter on May 8, 2025. He has taken the papal name Leo XIV, in continuity with the great Popes Leo of the past. Born in Chicago in 1955, Cardinal Prevost dedicated his life to Christ as an Augustinian. He earned degrees in theology and canon law and served for decades as a teacher, preacher and missionary – especially in Peru, where he was parish priest, seminary professor and later Bishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023). In January 2023 Pope Francis called him to Rome to be Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, recognizing his wisdom and leadership. He was created a cardinal in September 2023, and now the Lord has raised him to shepherd the universal Church. As the first North American (and indeed first person of dual US‑Peruvian citizenship) to hold the papacy, Pope Leo XIV brings a fresh perspective to Peter’s chair. We ask you to join us in praising God for this gift and in prayerfully supporting our new Holy Father.

A Blessed Date: St. Michael’s Feast and Victory in Europe

Remarkably, the date of this papal election is rich with spiritual meaning. May 8 is the Feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel, commemorating the Archangel’s 5th-century appearance on Mount Gargano in Italy. On that day Saint Michael declared, “The cave is sacred to me… and since I have decided to protect this place and its inhabitants”, assuring forgiveness and protection to the faithful. It is providential that our new Pope was elected on this feast day – a powerful sign that Saint Michael, patron and protector, surrounds Pope Leo XIV with heavenly defense.

Even more, May 8 also marks Victory in Europe Day (1945) – the end of World War II in Europe, a day when freedom and peace triumphed. As we remember the end of that great conflict and thank God for peace, we see a beautiful symmetry: on this very anniversary, the Church has been given a new Shepherd. Together these events remind us that God triumphs over evil through Christ, and that the Archangel Michael leads the heavenly army of peace.

Entrusting Pope Leo XIV to Saint Michael

As Catholics, we now entrust our Holy Father to Saint Michael’s protection. Saint Michael is the guardian of the Church in spiritual battle, and his patronage is never more needed than at the dawn of a new pontificate. We recall the words of the Archangel himself at Gargano: “The cave is sacred to me… I have decided to protect this place and its inhabitants.” In the spirit of that promise, let us pray earnestly for Pope Leo XIV’s protection and guidance. We follow the example of Pope Leo XIII – our new Pope’s namesake – who famously composed the prayer to Saint Michael for spiritual protection. Every day, let us ask Saint Michael to defend our Holy Father in the “battle” of leading souls to Christ. We encourage you to pray the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel often, offering it for Pope Leo XIV’s ministry. In particular, consider a daily moment of prayer:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

May each of us join together in faith, invoking the Archangel’s intercession for the Holy Father. Through our prayers, we seek heaven’s help that Pope Leo XIV may walk in truth and courage.

Our Special Gift: Saint Michael Prayer Card

To help you in this prayerful entrustment, we have included a prayer card of Saint Michael the Archangel as a gift to all our subscribers. Keep it with you as a reminder to pray for Pope Leo XIV and for all entrusted to Saint Michael’s care. It is our hope that this small gift strengthens your devotion and unites us in spiritual solidarity.

Feel free to share the prayer card and the prayer intentions it contains with your family and friends, especially as our world yearns for peace and protection. In this joyful moment for the Church, let us lift up Pope Leo XIV in faith, trusting that as we pray under the wing of Saint Michael, the Lord will grant him wisdom and grace. May we all take heart in our faith, “putting on the full armor of God” and standing firm in prayer for the new Pontiff.

In Christ,

At ReKnew Your Faith, we seek to be a beacon of hope and truth, empowering Catholics to rediscover their faith and inspire others to do the same. Together, we journey towards Christ, embracing the richness of our tradition and the joy of sharing it with the world.

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Read the Full Papal Speech in English here.