Canada’s bishop have “rejoiced” in the naming of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV and are calling on Canadian Catholics to embrace the 267th Bishop of Rome.

The Church in Canada joined Catholics around the world today in welcoming Leo XIV, the first North American chosen as the successor of St. Peter.

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop president Bishop William McGrattan called on the faithful to welcome the Pope and “remember him daily in their prayers so that he may embark on his Petrine ministry with fidelity, confident that the Lord will help him.”

“As the Church in Canada rejoices today with Christians throughout the world, let us remember our new Holy Father in prayer, that despite the considerable weight of his role and responsibilities, his yoke may be easy and his burden light (Matthew 11:28-20),” said McGrattan.

The 69-year-old Prevost is a native of Chicago and has ministered in Peru in Augustinian missions. He was also Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015-23.