LOOP POPE WATCH: First episcopal appointment of Leo pontificate

THURSDAY, MAY 15 - POPE WATCH FIRST APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW PONTIFICATE  In his first episcopal appointment, Pope Leo XIV has made the superior of the América del Sur district of the Marist Fathers an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Callao, Peru. Here is the background of now-Auxiliary Bishop Miguel Ángel Contreras Llajaruna, S.M. READ OPUS DEI LEADERSHIP MEETS WITH POPE  According to an announcement posted today on the official Opus Dei website, Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz, accompanied by his auxiliary vicar, Msgr. Mariano Fazio, had a "brief" audience with the Pope today. The Holy Father "expressed his closeness and affection" during the meeting, the announcement states.  READ POPE ENCOURAGES BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS  Pope Leo XIV today addressed the Brothers of the Christian Schools, commending their long-standing dedication to education and urging them to continue their mission with renewed faith and zeal. "You are heirs to a great tradition of education rooted in the Gospel, a tradition that has transformed countless lives across the world," he said.  READ AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE THANKS POPE FOR ELECTION-DAY LETTER  On the day of his election, Pope Leo wrote a letter to the American Jewish Committee (AJC) promising to strengthen dialogue and cooperation and inviting them to his inaugural Mass. The AJC responded in a post on X, writing, "We are deeply moved that Pope Leo XIV, so early in his papacy, has reaffirmed his commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations."  READ GET YOUR FRIENDS IN ON THE POPE WATCH  With the first days of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate scheduled and his official installation and inaugural public Mass coming this Sunday, make sure all your friends get the most out of our on-the-ground reporting and analysis by forwarding this edition of the LOOP to them or inviting them to sign up at CatholicVote.org/GetLOOP.  STAY IN THE LOOP NAZARETH CHRISTIANS TO HOLD MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR POPE  The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel, will hold a Mass of Thanksgiving tomorrow to honor the new Pope. "With hearts filled with joy and gratitude, you are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Thanksgiving for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV," states an invitation posted on the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem's website.  READ WILL POPE LEO VISIT SITE OF NICEAN COUNCIL FOR ANNIVERSARY?  With 2025 marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, there is a possibility that Pope Leo XIV will travel to the town in Turkey where the council convened, a visit that the late Pope Francis had hoped to make.  READ DEVOTION  "Thank you, Mother, for your help," Pope Leo prayed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel just after his election. "Accompany me in this new mission." SHARE Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here. CATHOLICVOTE  |  PO Box 3310  |  Carmel, IN 46082  |  (317) 669-6127