General’s representative meets Pope Leo XIV; attends inauguration mass
On Monday 19 May 2025, Lieut-Colonels Andrew and Darlene Morgan, leaders of The Salvation Army’s Italy and Greece Territory, joined representatives from other churches and faiths in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV.
Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan, who is also The Salvation Army’s official representative to the Vatican of its international leader General Lyndon Buckingham, brought greetings to Pope Leo on behalf of the General. Lieut-Colonel Darlene Morgan greeted the Pope on behalf of The Salvation Army around the world.
Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter's Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Photo: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo)
To help guide his ministry, Pope Leo explained that he had chosen the personal motto In Illo uno unum, meaning ‘In the One [that is Christ] we are one’. Leo XIV is the first pope from the Order of St Augustine and his motto echoes St Augustine’s teaching on unity. ‘I would like to assure you of my intention,’ said the Pope, ‘to continue Pope Francis’ commitment to…developing an ever stronger synodality in ecumenical relations.’
Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan noted it was significant that approximately 250 ‘representatives of other churches and ecclesial communities and other faiths’ were able to meet with the new Pope so early in his tenure. ‘As Pope Leo begins his ministry of leading the global Catholic Church,’ he said, ‘exerting influence not only on the Christian faith but also in areas of global politics, economics and peace, I pray he will experience the leading of the Holy Spirit in a powerful way.
‘I can see that Pope Leo will also continue with a focus on the gospel and social justice, uplifting those who experience poverty and who are marginalised in society. This aligns strongly with the mission of The Salvation Army and we look forward to our ongoing ecumenical relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.’
Inauguration Mass
The previous day in St Peter’s Square, the Morgans attended the Inauguration Mass for Pope Leo XIV, Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan representing General Buckingham. More than 200,000 people filled the square, including religious and political leaders, and many millions watched the event on television.
The liturgy for the mass focused on the apostolic succession of spiritual leadership, beginning with St Peter, according to Roman Catholic Church tradition. ‘Yet aside from church tradition,’ said Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan, ‘I was moved by the pastoral charge made upon Pope Leo and the charge of responsibility for leading the Church in unity.’
During the placement of the pallium, a liturgical vestment worn by the Pope, and the ‘Ring of the Fisherman’, a symbol of the unbroken papal lineage from the first pope to the present day, prayers were offered for Pope Leo: ‘May the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, grant you his abundant gifts of wisdom and eloquence in the ministry of confirming your brethren in the unity of faith.’
‘I added my “Amen” to that prayer,’ said Lieut-Colonel Morgan, ‘and prayed that this may be true for all church leaders.’ Then, in united prayer, all at the inauguration mass were invited to pray: ‘May Almighty God, by his holiness, transform the lives of us all and make us ever more like the Lord Jesus’ and ‘May Almighty God, by his faithfulness, confirm us all, pastors and faithful alike, in wholehearted obedience to the gospel.’
Tags: Ecumenism, News