Tucson—May 8, 2025—It is a joy for all of us in the Diocese of Tucson that the Cardinals gathered in conclave, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have selected Pope Leo XIV. I do know our new Holy Father and have met him. I have every confidence that he will be what the Cardinals sought as qualities needed in our next Pope, that he would be a builder of bridges, a true shepherd, a master of humanity, and the face of a Samaritan Church, a serving Church toward all. The Diocese will be celebrating with gratitude the election of our new Pope on Sunday, May 18 at the 10:00 Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral.

As we have returned from our pilgrimage for the Jubilee of teenagers, I keep reflecting on the great privilege I had to witness the hope, resilience, and joy of our pilgrims. Originally, we were planning to attend the canonization of the blessed Carlo Acutis, and we ended up attending the funeral of Pope Francis. I am sure this unexpected twist impacted and touched the life of our pilgrims in a very unique way, and that eventually they will respond to God’s voice generously . During our days together, I was able to share with most of them about my calling to the priesthood and how I was also impacted by the witness, service, and love of a young priest just like our beloved Pope Francis impacted, touched, and changed the life of so many people. They felt free to ask me questions about faith, discernment, and priestly life. I shared that God also speaks through the circumstances and life events such as the passing of the Pope and the universality of the Church we witnessed at St. Peter’s. I hope and pray that this remarkable experience will continue to shape the faith and commitment of our pilgrims to themselves and their communities. So, in due time, they will take the risk of following God in a radical way knowing that He is our only Hope -the Hope that never disappoints. Fr. Luis Pablo Ochoa-Escárrega

The entire Church mourns the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels, the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during this time. The daily novena—lasting for the novendiales period from April 26 to May 4, 2025—consists of a short reading from Scripture or some other ecclesiastical text and some brief prayers, including orations drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals.