On Friday morning, the leadership of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), led by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, held an audience with Pope Leo XIV. Following the meeting, Archbishop Broglio shared insights about the encounter, emphasizing the importance of the new pontificate for the Catholic Church in the United States.
In his remarks, Archbishop Broglio described the audience as a pleasant experience, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Holy Father. He recalled previous encounters with Pope Leo when he served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and during the Synod of Bishops.
When asked about the impact of having an American Pope, Archbishop Broglio highlighted Pope Leo’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the global Church. He noted, “He lived here in Europe for many years, was a missionary and then a bishop in Peru, and later served as prefect of the dicastery.”
The archbishop expressed the significance of speaking with the Holy Father in their shared native language, stating, “You feel you have an older brother walking with you—and that is a great blessing.”
Addressing the potential effects of Pope Leo’s background on the relationship between the Holy See and the Church in the U.S., the USCCB President emphasized the Pope’s familiarity with the realities faced by American Catholics. He commented, “The refrain that ‘they don’t understand us over here’ doesn’t fit anymore, because he certainly does understand us.”
Despite this familiarity, Archbishop Broglio reaffirmed that the U.S. bishops have consistently maintained a close communion with the Bishop of Rome. “The bishops and the Church in the United States as a whole have always been very closely allied to the Pope, with a desire to work in unity with him,” he said.
During the audience, the discussion also focused on significant pastoral concerns such as migration and the transmission of the Gospel. Archbishop Broglio noted that they addressed the challenges that arise when individuals prioritize political affiliation over the Gospel message.
He remarked, “I took home some good lessons from the Holy Father about that very subject.” Migration emerged as a topic of significant concern for both the Pope and the U.S. bishops, with Archbishop Broglio stressing the importance of recognizing the nation’s identity as a country of migrants.
He stated, “That has been, some might view it as our trial, but also our greatest strength.” Reflecting on his family’s history, he recalled how his father had started school in New York City without knowing any English, illustrating the integral role of migrants in the American Church.
Archbishop Broglio discussed the spirit of collaboration that defines the relationship between the Holy See and the U.S. episcopate. He recalled a letter sent by Pope Francis addressing the migration issue, which was met with enthusiasm by the bishops. “That letter represents a clear example of collegiality—of Peter working with the apostolic college to bring the Gospel message home,” he remarked.
He highlighted the bishops’ use of the letter as a tool for preaching the Gospel to their communities across the United States.
The archbishop also tackled the pressing issue of polarization within the Church, reflecting on Pope Leo’s ongoing appeals for unity among Catholics. “What unites us is the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he stated.
Confirming the role of bishops, he said, “Every bishop is ordained to be an effective preacher of the Word of God. Sometimes there’s a tendency to listen to other voices, but the bishop of the diocese and the Holy Father for the universal Church are really the voice that speaks of Jesus Christ.”
While acknowledging the diversity among U.S. bishops, Archbishop Broglio insisted on their unified purpose. “We try to give space for bishops to speak their mind, but in the end, when we speak to our people, we strive to speak with a united voice,” he said.
He also noted, “It’s not enough to preach the truth; we must also find a way to preach it so that people can accept it.”
As the audience concluded, Archbishop Broglio expressed his intention to relay the Holy Father’s encouragement and affection back to his fellow bishops. “I will take back the fact that the Pope loves us very much, that he understands us, and that he wants us to work harder to make the Gospel come alive,” he conveyed.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of helping their communities recognize that the truth of the Gospel transcends any divisions. Expressing gratitude for the audience, he noted, “The Pope gave us almost an hour of his time, which is very precious. I am also grateful for the tremendous availability of the Apostolic See to the bishops.”
image source from：vaticannews
