Pope Leo XIV invited to Australia by PM, promised Tim Tams

Political and religious leaders in Australia have joined to celebrate the election of the first American-born pontiff, with the expectation he will again return to the country.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, appears from the main balcony of St Peter's Basilica. Picture: AFP

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Australia’s religious and political leaders have welcomed the election of the first American-born pope, with a prime ministerial invitation to visit and promises of Tim Tams – a papal favourite.

Just days after securing a second term, Anthony Albanese congratulated the new pontiff on his election, saying Leo XIV’s “leadership comes at an important time for the Catholic Church and for the world”.

“I will invite his Holiness Pope Leo to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress being proudly hosted in 2028,” the Prime Minister said at Parliament House in Canberra.

The invitation was also ­extended by NSW Premier Chris Minns in a statement welcoming “His Holiness’ messages of peace, bridge building and compassion”.

“NSW would be honoured to host Pope Leo XIV,” Mr Minns said.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher received the news while in the NSW northern tablelands ordaining a new bishop for Armidale, who was appointed by the late Pope Francis and recommended by the new pontiff.

“He is a kind of last gift to Australia from Pope Francis and first gift to Australia from Pope Leo,” he said.

“Choosing the name Leo, which of course means lion, is an invitation that he will in turn roar, though I think in a gentle way.”

Upon hearing the news that the first American-born pope was partial to a Tim Tam but not so fond of Vegemite, the archbishop promised to take a small slice of Australia with him on his next visit to the Vatican.

“I do think the Americans and probably the Romans think Vegemite is something you apply on your shoes to make them black,” he said.

“If he likes Tim Tams, that’s good. I’ll bring them with me when I go to visit him.”

Pope Leo, born in Chicago to immigrant parents, is also the first Augustinian to be elected as the head of the Catholic Church, a moment that Sydney’s St Augustine’s College principal Jonathan Byrne said “fills our community with deep pride and joy”.

“Pope Leo has walked the same path of Augustinian values that shape our school … His ­election reminds us that we are part of something much ­greater, yet profoundly connected,” he said.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, then prior general of the Augustinian order, addressing the assembly at Sydney’s St Augustine’s College in 2008.

Recalling a visit from Pope Leo to the Sydney northern beaches college in 2008, St Augustine’s religious education teacher Margaret McElhone said “his humility and willingness to spend authentic time in community was appreciated by all who met him”.

“From participating in all the Youth Encounter activities to saying Mass on Collaroy beach … he (also) spoke at a college ­assembly and presented the students with sporting awards,” she said.

Mr Byrne added that the Pope “is always welcome at our college”.

Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli pointed to the significance of taking the name Leo, suggesting the decision “points to something of great significance about what Pope Leo XIV will want to do”.

“His predecessor by name was the great initiator of the church’s social justice teachings,” he said.

Archbishop Comensoli also revealed plans to lure the new head of the Catholic Church to Melbourne, following invitations to attend the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney from the Prime Minister and Mr Minns.

“I already have a plan. At the end of this year … there is a major Catholic youth festival happening here in Melbourne,” he said. “I might just send him a little note inviting him to that.”