Australian PM invites Pope Leo to head Down Under in 2028

In a statement on May 9, Anthony Albanese said he joined Catholics throughout the world and the faithful in Australia in congratulating the new Pope.

“My government looks forward to continuing Australia’s strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate,” Mr Albanese said.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP said “it is our earnest hope that the Holy Father will join us in Sydney for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028. It will be a joy to welcome him here”.

“I call on all Catholics and others of good will to get behind this Pope with our prayers for him. May God bless him in his ministry,” Archbishop Fisher said.

Before he was Pope, then-Fr Robert Prevost OSA was a regular visitor to Australia between 2001 and 2013, as Prior General of the Augustinian religious order. In 2008, his visit coincided with Pope Benedict XVI being in Australia for World Youth Day. At this time, Fr Prevost celebrated Mass at Sydney’s Collaroy Beach.

St Augustine’s College in Sydney welcomed the future Pope to its Brookvale campus twice – in 2008 and 2009.

Religious education teacher Margaret McElhone recalled the visits, remarking that Prevost’s “humility and willingness to spend authentic time in community was appreciated by all who met him”.

Fr Peter Jones, the prior provincial of the Order of Saint Augustine in Australia, told Nine that he was “full of gratitude and happiness” that his friend of 40 years had been chosen, calling his surprise appointment “quite extraordinary”.

“He was always a person consistent in terms of his human warmth, his kindness, his concern for the rights and dignity of all,” Fr Jones said.

“That’s how we have known him, and he’ll now bring those qualities to the service of the Church and the world.”

FULL STORY

Statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV (Anthony Albanese)

Church in Sydney welcomes Pope Leo XIV (Archbishop Anthony Fisher/The Catholic Weekly)

Loves Tim Tams, hates Vegemite: The day Pope Leo said Mass at iconic Sydney beach (Stuff/Sydney Morning Herald)

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