Welcome to the new Pope.

This weekend marks the installation of Pope Leo.

The Pope has a dual role. Firstly a responsibility to the Catholic Church worldwide. 

He will strive to keep the unity of the church which crosses cultures and international boundaries. There are the traditionalists who want little change and the modernists who will put pressure on him to permit clergy to marry and for women to have a more important role in the church including the ordination of women. Personally, I hope he will be an ecumenist.

Secondly,  the  Pope is also a Head of State - although Vatican City is the smallest country in the world by land area - and relates to world leaders and through these meetings and international visits is able to use soft power very effectively.

The world is facing many issues- such as the war in Ukraine, the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the difficult situation in Sudan. There is much poverty in the world and the plight of migrants is a growing concern.

Pope Leo has already called for peace and is committed to social justice which are Ammerdown values.

We send our warmest greetings to Pope Leo as he begins his Papacy.

Stuart Burgess

Chair of Trustees