The president of the International Schoenstatt Presidium, Father Alexandre Awi Mello, followed the announcement of the new Pope from Burundi, Africa. As superior general of the Schoenstatt Fathers, he is currently visiting members of his community in this region, known as mission territory. From Africa, Fr. Alexandre sends greetings to the Schoenstatt Family, inviting everyone to remain in prayer for Pope Leo XIV and, together, embrace our mission in the life of the Church.
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Dear international Schoenstatt Family, “Nimuguire Amahoro” – Peace be with you, in Kirundi, where I am during the election of the new Pope.
And from here, from Burundi, from Bujumbura, from our Schoenstatt Shrine, I would like to send you a warm greeting.
And we rejoice because Habemus Papam, and the Pope is a missionary Pope. That is why we are in mission territory, and Schoenstatt is a missionary movement.
We are happy that the Pope’s first words are words of peace, but also Marian words. And we, as an international movement, want to commit ourselves to the mission of the new Pope. This year we celebrate 60 years since our father and founder (Fr. Joseph Kentenich) promised Pope Paul VI that we would help carry out the post-conciliar mission of the Church. In this spirit, we want to remain faithful to all the post-conciliar popes, and especially Leo XIV.
May this be a time of renewal, of great hope in this Year of Hope, and of missionary commitment to the new Pope. May he also receive the greetings and commitment of the Schoenstatt Family. May God bless you and let us continue to pray for the new Pope.
