The Pope and the Episcopal Church

Within minutes of the white smoke wafting towards heaven, I had several texts from parishioners and friends announcing, "There's a new Pope!" and "What do you think about him?"

The Episcopal Church does not have a formal relationship with the Pope. Historically, the Church of England (the mother church of our denomination) broke with the Catholic Church and Rome in 1534 when King Henry VIII declared himself head of the church in England. The global Anglican Communion views the Archbishop of Canterbury as our spiritual leader, though he has no direct authority over any of the churches within the Anglican Communion. However, more recently there has been increased dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church such as the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission which strives to find commonality between our two expressions of Christian faith.

The pontificate of Pope Francis changed how many in the world view the Pope: not simply as the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, but a figure of hope and a symbol of God's Love for many in Christianity and those who are spiritually longing. For many in the world, we are newly meeting Pope Leo XIV (Cardinal Robert Francis Provost), and over the next days and weeks we will learn what kind of Pope he will be, and if he will follow in the example of Pope Francis.

One hint of the sort of Pope he may be is in the name he chose: Leo XIV signals that he hopes to continue the work of Pope Leo XIII, a 19th century Pope known for, among other achievements, a landmark encyclical on labor and social justice addressing the rights of workers, private property, and the responsibilities of employers and employees. Just as Pope Francis lifted up the voices of the poor and marginalized, perhaps Pope Leo XIV will continue to open doors of welcome and inclusion in the Church. Indeed, as a priest and bishop in Peru and Chicago (and known as "Bob" to family and friends) he has three decades of advocacy on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and those who are refugees and immigrants.

I'll end with some of Pope Leo XIV's words as he addressed the crowds outside St. Peter's Basilica: “Peace be with you all! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you...We want to be a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close, especially, to those who suffer."

I pray that it will be so.

Blessings,

Rev Jill