Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, publishes a few words in which we all join in congratulating Pope Leo XIV.

I am here, in the square, where the new Pope Leo XIV has just been elected.

I came here yesterday and today to experience this Church event. Not so much out of curiosity, but simply to pray together, among all the people in the square, and there were many of them. It was a moment of reflection, of prayer, to support the cardinals in their election.

And now you've probably heard the Pope's speech, the Pope's first speech, which was about peace.

So we want to assure the new Pope of our prayers, our closeness, and our commitment to living an unarmed and disarming peace. And also what he has emphasized: to be builders of bridges and of dialogue.

Builders of peace, of justice, but also living a synodal Church, walking together. Above all, being close to those who suffer and the most vulnerable.

So here we are to take on this new commitment, to ensure that we are part of this message that the Pope has launched today to the entire world and that he has also entrusted to Mary, so that she may hear this cry for peace, for justice, for all the peoples of the earth.

Margaret Karram
President of the Focolare Movement