WOC’s statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) welcomes the election of Pope Leo XIV, who greeted the people of Rome and the world with a message of peace.

His clear emphasis on bridge-building and dialogue offer WOC hope that Pope Leo XIV might be a leader who will also build bridges to Catholic women, who long for their baptismal equality to be fully realized.

We pray that his affection for the communities he served in Peru will guide his leadership of the institutional church to better reflect the pastoral needs of the People of God.

We pray that his closeness to Pope Francis will lead him to boldness of heart and solidarity with the most marginalized in our church and society.

We pray that his support for synodality motivates the whole church toward a long-overdue day when women are recognized as equals in Christ, and their vocations are trusted, welcomed, and celebrated. 

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CONTACT: Kate McElwee, Executive Director, Women’s Ordination Conference

kmcelwee@womensordination.org

Founded in 1975, the Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC) is the oldest and largest organization working to ordain women as deacons, priests, and bishops into an inclusive and accountable Roman Catholic Church. A feminist voice for women in the Roman Catholic Church, WOC is a grassroots-driven movement that promotes activism, dialogue, and prayerful witness to call for women’s full equality in the Church.