With the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the Catholic Church enters a new and hope-filled chapter. For the first time in history, a pope has been chosen from the United States. Pope Leo XIV was elected, by more Cardinals from more countries than ever before giving us encouragement for global evangelization. But this moment is about more than nationality — it’s a visible sign of a Church that is increasingly global, vibrantly alive, and deeply rooted in the mission of Jesus Christ.

From his first words as pope — “Peace be with you!” — Pope Leo XIV set a tone of humility, unity and deep faith. A son of St. Augustine and a shepherd formed by years of ministry in Peru and the Americas, Pope Leo XIV carries forward the legacy of those before him — with a voice both bold and tender, challenging us all to be “missionaries, faithful to the gospel... without fear.”

His appointment reflects a Church that is not shrinking but expanding — a Church alive in every corner of the world, including right here in the U.S. Signs of renewal are everywhere. Dioceses across the country and many places around the world are reporting dramatic increases in conversions and people flocking to the Catholic Church. The Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas — host to our upcoming annual SEEK conference in January 2026 — reported a remarkable 72% increase in converts from 2023 to 2024. At FOCUS, we’ve witnessed a similar awakening: over the past two years, student involvement has grown by more than 75%, and the number of FOCUS participants in OCIA has more than doubled in just the past year. These individuals aren’t coming to the Catholic Church because of nostalgia — they’re searching for truth, purpose, and Jesus Christ Himself.

At FOCUS, we witness this daily. Since our founding during the papacy of Pope St. John Paul II, our mission has been to help young people encounter Christ personally and respond as missionary disciples. Pope John Paul II inspired a generation with his call to holiness and courage. Pope Benedict XVI deepened that mission with his clear, intellectual articulation of the faith, reminding us that Christianity is not a set of ideas — it’s a relationship with the living God. And Pope Francis pushed us to the peripheries, calling us to live the Gospel with compassion and joy.

Now, Pope Leo XIV stands at the threshold of this new era. In his first remarks, he reminded us of the peace that comes from the Risen Christ — “a disarming and humble and preserving peace ... from God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.” He called on all of us — from Rome to Peru, from the streets of Chicago to the mountains of Kenya — to walk together, to build bridges, and to be a Church “open to receiving with open arms for everyone.”

This is not just the Pope’s mission — it is ours. The world is watching. Our neighbors are watching. And more than that, the world is searching. In a culture of confusion and isolation, people are longing for truth, purpose, and community. They are hungry for abundant life. As Jesus said in the Gospel of John: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

That abundant life is what the Church offers. That is the mission Pope Leo XIV now carries forward — not alone, but with all of us, the Body of Christ. May we walk with him, hand in hand, toward a future rooted in peace, justice, and the radiant love of Jesus Christ.

Curtis Martin is the founder of FOCUS.