“I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently” (Jeremiah 3:15) was the promise God made to Israel. This is the promise God makes to his Church in all times, including the present. After the funeral and mourning for Pope Francis, the Church prayed to God for the new shepherd of the Church according to his own heart. Now that it is known that Cardinal Robert Prevost is God's chosen one to be this universal shepherd, the Church thanks God for his appointment.

Bishop Luis Rafael wrote to the priests on the afternoon of Pope Leo's election the following: “The Holy Spirit has surprised us again; we have experienced the unexpected.” The election of a cardinal from the United States as Pope was an inconceivable idea in the minds of many people around the world. However, God's plans are enigmatic. I wonder about what the cardinals, during those days before the conclave, understood the Holy Spirit was telling them regarding the shepherd for the Church of today.

It is a source of pride for the Church of the United States that one of its sons has reached such a high ministry in the Church. The first insight into the pontificate of a newly elected pope is the name he takes. When I heard "Leo," my memory took me back to my seminary years when I studied the Social Doctrine of the Church. The most recent pope with the name Leo was pope Leo XIII (pope for 25 years until 1903). He began the modern doctrine on Catholic Social teaching. The name of Leo may lead us to expect a pope who would emphasize Catholic Social teaching.

Certainly, the Holy Spirit has surprised us again and will continue to surprise us. God never ceases to appoint shepherds after his heart, who will shepherd the Church with wisdom and prudence.

Today, on the annual feast of the Good Shepherd, we praise God almighty for his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd. St. John tells us in the Gospel reading that the Good Shepherd says, “My sheep listen to my voice.” No one can call himself a follower of the Lord if he does not listen to his voice.

Listening to his voice is the first action of a disciple. All the examples of faith in the Bible had this virtue. Abraham listened to the Word of God and obeyed immediately. A disciple of the Lord listens to his words not superficially but in an engaging way. This kind of listening, which makes mutual understanding possible, is what builds a generous following of God’s will. That is why the Good Shepherd says, “My sheep follow me.”

The greatest example of listening to and obeying the Word of God, apart from the Lord himself, is his most holy Mother. The Lord, who is the Word made flesh, never goes silent, never ceases to invite people to become his disciples.

Pope Leo entered the Augustinian Religious Order at the age of 22. Since then, he has been listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd and has been following it obediently. Cardinal Prevost never imagined that one day in May 2025, inside the marvelous Sistine Chapel, he would hear the voice of the Good Shepherd inviting him to become the shepherd of his earthy flock at this moment in history. As daunting as this position of authority in the Church is, Cardinal Prevost listened and obeyed. He did so with faith, joy, and trust. This is how we should welcome the Lord's invitation to become his disciples.

Let us ask the Lord, our Good Shepherd, to grant Pope Leo the grace to hear and obediently follow his voice. And may the Lord grant us grace to be obedient as well.