"ACCCR adds our welcome to Cardinal Robert Prevost as our new pope, Pope Leo XIV.

We welcome his emphasis on peace in the world and synodality within the Church as a priority. We pray that, with his guiding spirit, the Church will hear the voices of the many suffering, vulnerable and marginalised of the world.

Our prayers are with him as he takes the opportunities and burdens of leadership on his shoulders. We stand with him as he begins his stewardship at a time when the world is calling for justice and an end to all forms of inequality and exclusion.

We, women and men of Australia and New Zealand, join with his call,

"Peace be with you".