Ten days ago, on May 8, 2025, Robert Cardinal Prevost was elected Pope, taking the name Leo XIV. This day he was elected, May 8, is a feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, commemorating his multiple apparitions atop Monte Gargano in southeastern Italy since the year 492. This feast day used to be celebrated throughout the world, but has now often been neglected.

The church built in honor of St. Michael atop Monte Gargano forms part of the Sword of St. Michael across Europe, a series of 7 churches atop mountains connected to St. Michael, all in a straight line, from Skellig Michael in Ireland to the Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. I have been to two of these sites, Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy and Sacra di San Michele outside of Turin.

In 1884, Pope Leo XIII composed a prayer and requested that it be recited at the end of every Mass. This prayer is known as the St. Michael Prayer, the same one we recite at the end of every Mass here at OLMC. In 994, Pope St. John Paul II spoke in favor of this prayer stating, “May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle that the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of: ‘Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might’ (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of St. Michael the Archangel (cf. Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had this picture in mind when, at the end of the last century, he brought in, throughout the Church, a special prayer to St. Michael… I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world.”

Our new pope, Leo XIV has stated that his decision on his new name was influenced by the pontificate of Leo XIII. So perhaps it is no coincidence that after being elected on a major feast day for St. Michael in Italy, the pope takes on the name of his predecessor who wrote the St. Michael Prayer for the whole church to pray.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.