Catholics in Vietnam marked the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election with a special Mass in Hanoi on May 4, as Church leaders highlighted unity with the pontiff, prayers for peace, and hopes for a future papal visit to the country.
The Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral was presided over by Archbishop Marek Zalewski, permanent representative of the Holy See to Vietnam. Concelebrants included Cardinal Peter Nguyen Van Nhon, bishops from the Standing Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, bishops from the Hanoi ecclesiastical province, and priests from across the region.
The liturgy drew bishops, clergy, religious, seminarians, and lay Catholics in a public expression of communion with the universal Church.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the Augustinian Order, was elected the 267th pope of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, succeeding Pope Francis.
Before the Mass, Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, said the pope’s mission is “to strengthen faith, build unity, and promote peace based on the power of the Gospel.”
He also recalled the teaching of St. Pope Paul VI that the Church is called “to be present in the heart of the world not to seek power, but to serve humanity in humility and love.”
Archbishop Nguyen Nang concluded by expressing hope that Pope Leo XIV would one day visit Vietnam.
Archbishop Zalewski described the pope’s pastoral style as one marked by “humility and closeness,” adding that he is “not a politician but a strengthener of faith.”
He also encouraged Catholics to live according to “the Gospel values of justice and peace.”
In his homily, Bishop Joseph Do Quang Khang of Bac Ninh said Pope Leo XIV reacted warmly after learning that Vietnamese Catholics would hold a special prayer service for him.
The bishop said that during an Ad Limina visit, the pope “smiled, showing his pleasure,” and “expressed his sincere desire to visit Vietnam to meet the more than seven million faithful who were eagerly awaiting his arrival.”
Bishop Khang described the pontiff as both “a world-respected head of state and a loving father to the great human family.”
He added that Pope Leo XIV carries the mission of “the guardian of world peace,” saying the pope “tirelessly warns of the dangers of war and wholeheartedly dedicates himself to protecting peace.”
The Mass concluded with prayers for Pope Leo XIV and for stronger relations between the Holy See and Vietnam, which have expanded in recent years through ongoing diplomatic engagement and pastoral exchanges.
“The first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s succession to the Apostle Peter is not only a milestone in time, but also an opportunity for all the People of God to express their love, obedience, and communion in prayer for the Shepherd of the Church,” the Archdiocese of Hanoi said in its report.
