On this deeply solemn day, the International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC) joins the universal Church in welcoming with joy and hope the election of the new Pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, 267th successor of Saint Peter.
In a world in search of its bearings, faced with unprecedented challenges – wars, injustices, climatic upheavals, social divisions – the announcement of this new pontificate is a beacon of new light. The OIEC gives thanks for this choice guided by the Holy Spirit, and assures the Holy Father today of its fraternal prayer and renewed commitment to the integral education of young people throughout the world.
This announcement cannot be received without a profound tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis, whose pontificate will forever remain an inestimable source of inspiration. Through his prophetic gestures, his constant attention to the poorest, his vibrant call for an integral ecology, his tireless quest for peace and his desire to build universal brotherhood, he has left his mark on the history of the Church and provided lasting nourishment for our educational mission.
Echoing the insights of his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV is now called upon to pursue, with a shepherd’s heart, the mission entrusted to the Church: to proclaim the Gospel in the heart of the world, to promote the dignity of every human person, to engage in dialogue with cultures, to build bridges between peoples, and to open up paths of hope and peace for the younger generations.
Present on five continents through its networks of schools, teachers and educational communities, the OIEC will respond with faith, creativity and loyalty to the new Pope’s call, in line with its commitment to the Global Compact on Education. Alongside him, we will continue to form educators who are bearers of peace, young people capable of discernment, and communities attentive to the most vulnerable.
May the Lord accompany Pope Leo XIV, and give him strength, wisdom and gentleness to lead the Church along the paths of truth, justice, peace and brotherhood.
Press release from the International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC)