His pastoral approach also extends to words.
Pope Leo XIV greeted the world for the first time on May 8, 2025, with the words “Peace be with you all!”
What a year it has been as we’ve witnessed the American-born Holy Father step into his role as our spiritual shepherd. His tender moments with his flock (including the littlest) have been poignant — and his Africa trip was most memorable for the sweetest scenes, for instance, this and this. And who can forget his pizza delivery! (I can attest to the deliciousness of that Windy City staple, but don’t forget his other favorites.) Plus, he canonized Sts. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassti — reminding us to look to these young men as holy role models.
His pastoral approach also extends to words. My favorite quote of Leo’s papacy thus far (from late May 2025, which I have used in prayer time and again) is:
“Let us ask the Heart of Jesus for the grace increasingly to have the same feelings as him.”
My Marian heart also loves this line, from his first blessing:
“Our Mother Mary always wants to walk at our side, to remain close to us, to help us with her intercession and her love.”
Over the course of these last 365 days, the Pope has also offered book recommendations, including The Practice of the Presence of God and Lord of the World. He has also cited Confessions and City of God by St. Augustine on numerous occasions. And we have discussed his own Augustine-inspired writing in our pages, too.
Just yesterday, he reminded the faithful of the place of reading in the digital age: “I urge everyone to read books,” he said, noting that, through the printed word, “we meet those who have read it before us, or who are reading it now or will read it in the future.”
To mark the papal anniversary litera turn to some good reads about Leo for all ages:
White Smoke, Two Gulls and a Pope (Sophia Institute Press) by Register contributor Katie Warner for young readers illustrates how captivated the world was by “a mother and baby seagull sharing a cute moment on the roof of the Sistine Chapel as white smoke billowed out of the chimney, signaling that a new pope had been elected …” and then imagines what the sweet duo saw as they observed the faithful — and Pope Leo — from a literal bird’s-eye view; charming pictures accompany this new debut for ages 3-8.
In Leo XIV: The Pope from Both Americas (Magnificat/Ignatius Press) by Thereza Ameal, kids age 7 and up will discover how a young Bob Prevost, accompanied by his guardian angel, liked to “play Mass” and studied hard before becoming a priest and serving in various places, from his hometown of Chicago to Peru and the Eternal City. Along the way, they will learn fun facts about him (like his enjoyment of baseball and hot chocolate) and his caring nature: “In all of his actions, he handed out hope like candy: with a smile, with kindness, and always with enough to go around.”
Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope (EWTN Publishing) by Matthew Bunson: In one of the first books released about Leo, EWTN News’ vice president and editorial director traces Leo’s papal path of priesthood through assorted locales and roles — “Chicago. Peru. Rome. Pastor. Teacher. Missionary. Prior general. Bishop. Cardinal” — to the Vicar of Christ, living out his motto, “In the One, we are one.”