Pastoral Letter from Bishop Eaton on the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares a pastoral letter marking the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born and first Augustinian pope. She calls on Lutherans to join in prayer and continued dialogue, embracing our shared theological roots and our mutual calling to be bridge-builders in a world longing for peace and unity. Click here to read the full pastoral letter at ELCA.org.

Dear church,

We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America join with people around the world in praying for the ministry of Pope Leo XIV. We rejoice with the people of the Roman Catholic Church, especially those in our communities, as they joyfully receive their new shepherd.

Today we witnessed the historic election of the first Augustinian and the first U.S.-born pope — only the second to come from the Americas. Thus we share with him both context and theological roots (Martin Luther was also an Augustinian). We pray that this will provide us, as Catholics and as Lutherans, with an opportunity to strengthen our visible unity in Christ through dialogue and cooperation for the life of the world.  

In his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the new pope extended the blessing of Pope Francis, saying: “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.”

We pray that the Holy Spirit will sustain Pope Leo XIV for the ministry to which he has been called, and will strengthen us all in our vocations as bridge-builders and as witnesses to God’s love for all people and creation.

In Christ,

Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America