Pacific Conference of Churches reacts to election of new pope

By Carmella Calling

The South Pacific region, which is made up of small lying atolls and nations in that portion of the Pacific Ocean, hopes that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will continue Pope Francis’ engagement with the response to climate change.

This was conveyed late Friday by James Bhagwan, general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches.

According to Bhagwan, Francis was well-known for speaking up on a variety of issues, but one of his top priorities was to recognise the challenges of developing islands, especially in terms of the environment.

“Francis released his ‘laudate deum’ exhortation on the climate shortly before the United Nations climate summit in Dubai last year,” the reverend said, as cited by Radio New Zealand.

“The focus on care for creation, the focus for ending fossil fuels, the focus on people from the margins – I think that’s important for the Pacific people at this time. Continuing his work will be progressive not just for us but for the benefit of humanity,” he added.

Bhagwan also mentioned that the Catholic Church in the Pacific has been focusing on its synodal process, and Francis spoke about synodality as well.

“I know that there were hopes for an Oceania synod, just as Pope Francis held a synod of the Amazon. And I think that is still something that’s in the hearts of many of our Catholic leaders and Catholic members.”

“We hope that this will be an opportunity to still bring that focus to the Pacific,” he continued.

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Faith in the new Pope

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Cardinal John Dew, who was in the conclave, said he believes that the new pontiff would not hesitate to stand up about global concerns.

“I think any pope needs to be able to understand things that are happening around the world, especially if it is affecting the lives of people, where the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer,” he said.

Leo, 69, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is originally from Chicago and has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru.

Leo was elected by his fellow cardinals in the conclave on the evening of Thursday, May 8.

He became a cardinal relatively recently, in 2023, and now becomes the first-ever pope from the United States of America.

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