Tasmanian Catholics welcome new pontiff, who they say was close to Pope Francis

As Catholics across the world welcome the election of a new pontiff, Tasmanian Catholics are delighted at the choice to replace Pope Francis. READ THEIR THOUGHTS >>>

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was on Thursday elected the first pope from the United States, the Vatican announced. A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

From the Archbishop to a parish priest and member of Concerned Catholics – the appointment of a new Pope has been widely hailed in Tasmania.

Archbishop Julian Porteous welcomed the new spiritual father for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

“I look to him as one who will continue to inspire Catholics to live out the fullness of the Christian faith,” the Archbishop said.

“I encourage all Catholics, particularly those here in Tasmania, to join me in praying for our new Holy Father that God will abundantly bless his ministry and make it fruitful for the glory of God.”

Archbishop Julian Porteous. Picture: Chris Kidd

South Hobart parish priest Father Michael Tate said the name chosen by the new pontiff resonated with him because Pope Leo XIII in 1891 “issued an encyclical which insisted that a worker was entitled to a wage which enabled him and his family to live a decent life”.

“This was a just wage different from what could simply be imposed by an employer on a vulnerable employee,” Father Tate said.

“His teaching, almost word for word, became the basis for our industrial relations system.

“So the new Pope has signalled a commitment to social justice.”

Father Tate said the appointment of Pope Leo XIV so quickly was “a good sign”.

Father Michael Tate. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“This ‘Least American of the American Cardinal” as some have put it, was chosen by a truly

Catholic conclave with cardinals from every corner of the world including Tonga, Timor-Leste and Mongolia.”

Member of Concerned Catholics Tasmania and former head of the Catholic Education Dr Trish Hindmarsh said Pope Leo was a “close ally” of Pope Francis who died last month.

“He was brought to Rome by Pope Francis to run the Dicastery for the appointment of bishops and he chose three women to help him on the committee that chooses bishops,” Dr Hindmarsh said.

Dr Trish Hindmarsh.

“So Francis trusted him.

“He’s an American and I think that’s really important. The US is in chaos and I’m hoping he’ll be a light for unity in the US.

“He’ll have an uphill battle with the ultra-right there but I hope he can unify that to some extent.”

Dr Hindmarsh said the new Pontiff also “has an eye to the poorest of the poor because he spent decades in Peru and that’s very formative”.

Originally published as Tasmanian Catholics welcome new pontiff, who they say was close to Pope Francis