We are Church International supports Pope Leo XlV’s Synodal Reform of the Church 

We Are Church International congratulate Pope Leo XlV on his inauguration as successor to Pope Francis on 18 May 2025!  We share Pope Leo’s message for our world of peace and justice for those living in poverty and suffering in wars, as well as care for our environment.   

We Are Church welcomes the fact that Pope Leo immediately promised to continue the synodal reform process initiated by Pope Francis on the basis of the Second Vatican Council. The 2023 and 2024 World Synods have made it very clear how great the need for reform within the Church is in order to make our faith community credible and missionary again. This includes, among other things: 

  ·      Shared Decision Taking at all levels: Parish, Diocese and Synod
  ·      Equality for Women, LGBTQ+ and Married people in ordained ministries 
  ·      Zero tolerance for sexual abuse in the appointment of bishops
  ·      Respect unity in diversity in different cultures   

We very much hope that with Pope Leo and with the support of the Roman Curia and the cardinals who elected him by a large majority, it will now be possible to tackle these globally discussed issues in a synodal manner at all levels. Expectations for concrete results by the 2028 global church assembly are high.   

In the current global political climate, we welcome Pope Leo's commitment to freedom of the press. This should then also apply to theology and a liberal rethinking of traditional theological doctrine so that theology does not lose touch with the world.   

We are Church International and its national members worldwide are willing to support Pope Leo XlV in prayer and in action on this path.  

Press contacts: 
Colm Holmes, 
Chair We are Church International  
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                          Phone: +353 86606 3636 

Dr Martha Heizer,  
Vice-Chair We are Church International
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                                    Phone: +43 650 4168500 

International Coordinating team:
Valerie Stroud (England & Wales), Mary Morrissey (Ireland), Jean-Pierre Schmitz (France), Ashik Naz Khokhar (Pakistan), Christiane Bascou (France), Martin Schockenhoff (Germany), Kathleen Gibbons Schuck (USA), Gemma Lamarra (Scotland), Elza Ferrario (Italy), Virginia Saldanha (India) 

We are Church International welcomes Pope Leo XlV with great hope and joy