Fr. Simon opened his show today with a heartfelt prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit, leading a Hail Mary, and concluding with the St. Michael Prayer, first composed by Pope Leo XIII after a powerful vision.
Reflecting on the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, Fr. Simon likened the moment to both a funeral and a birth. The newly elected pope enters the Room of Tears, a literal place of weeping and contemplation, where he takes on the weight of the papal office.
Fr. Simon shared a poignant memory of Pope John XXIII joking, “They’ve even taken away my shoes,” highlighting the sacrificial nature of the papacy. This isn’t about power, Fr. Simon stressed, but about sacred responsibility.
Fr. Simon is genuinely encouraged by the new pontiff’s background. As a former mathematician and canon lawyer with impeccable Latin, Pope Leo XIV brings both intellectual brilliance and pastoral sensitivity to the papacy. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he has relatable, down-to-earth roots that resonate with the faithful.
Fr. Simon’s passion for Marian devotion shone through as he emphasized that a love for Mary is a love for the Church. He reminded listeners that Mary is the icon of the Church, present at the Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost. Her Immaculate Conception, he said, was a sign that the Church began in holiness, and her role is not background but central.
“A person who loves the Blessed Mother loves the Church,” Fr. Simon said with conviction. Pope Leo XIV’s decision to lead a global Hail Mary in St. Peter’s Square underscores his devotion to Mary and sets the tone for his papacy as one rooted in prayer and humility.
As the Church begins a new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, Fr. Simon calls on all the faithful to pray fervently for the new pope, for his mission, and for the intercession of the Blessed Mother.
Join us tonight, May 8th, at 7pm CT for a special edition of the Family Rosary Across America as we pray for our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV as he embraces the tremendous weight of the papacy.
