Bishop John Adams of the Diocese of Palmerston North has welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as someone with a “missionary heart” and expressing hope that his leadership will inspire renewed commitment to the Church’s core teachings, including its social mission.

Speaking after the announcement, Bishop John reflected on the central role of the papacy: “What’s the first duty of the Pope? It’s to proclaim the Risen Christ,” he said. “Like Saint Peter, the first Pope, Leo is now called to leave everything behind and follow Christ in a particular way.”

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected by the conclave of 133 cardinals following the death of Pope Francis last month. The 69-year-old American is the first Pope from the United States and has a long history of service among the poor in Peru, where he lived and ministered for many years as a missionary and bishop.

The Pope’s background struck a chord with Bishop John’s own pastoral priorities. “Our upcoming Hope and Renewal Summit is all about rediscovering who we are by giving ourselves away,” he said. “That’s exactly what we see in the life of Leo XIV — someone who followed the call to serve others in radical ways.”

Reflecting on the Pope’s choice of name, Bishop Adams pointed to its historical significance: “The last Pope Leo wrote the very first and very beautiful encyclical Rerum Novarum, which began the Church’s tradition of social justice encyclicals.” He added, “If he chose that name deliberately — and he seems a deliberate man — then our diocese’s proud tradition of advancing the Church’s social teaching will be encouraged by this.”

In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV greeted the crowds with the words, “Peace be with you,” invoking themes of unity, peace, and missionary outreach. He called on the Church to “build bridges with dialogue and encounter,” and emphasised a vision for a synodal Church: “Always seeking peace, charity, closeness — especially to those who are suffering.”

Bishop John didn’t stay up for the announcement but awoke instinctively around 4:30am. “I thought, let’s check how it’s all going — and sure enough, he had just come out onto the balcony,” he laughed.

Though careful not to project political expectations onto the new pontiff, Bishop John acknowledged that Pope Leo XIV inherits a Church facing complex challenges — including the need to heal the wounds of past abuses. But the call remains clear, he said: to proclaim the Risen Christ, and to walk in faith, humility, and mission.