HONG KONG (SE): “I know that Pope Leo would love to visit China—he told me so. So please pray that he may fulfil the unfinished dream of Pope Francis,” said Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, during a special Mass on May 22 marking the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Cardinal Stephen observed that Pope Leo is not unfamiliar with Chinese culture as he had visited China in the past. “It will be very meaningful if he can set foot again on China as pope,” the cardinal said.
During the Mass, the cardinal expressed his support for the pope’s mission to foster unity and love within the Church and the wider world. Above all, he appealed to Catholics and fellow Christian communities to collaborate in these shared missions.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by around 90 priests, including John Cardinal Tong Hon and Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, together with vicars general Father Peter Choy Wai-man, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, and Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu.
In his homily in Chinese, Cardinal Stephen highlighted the significance of Pope Leo’s first words and inaugural homily, which focused on the vital role of mutual love among believers as a means of embodying divine truth and bearing witness to the gospel. The cardinal noted the new pope’s desire to serve as a bridge—one that embraces diversity, hears the cry of the marginalised, and addresses today’s pressing challenges, including environmental degradation and the rise of artificial intelligence. In doing so, the pope drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIII, who responded prophetically to the societal upheavals of the Industrial Revolution.
“The challenges posed by artificial intelligence today are comparable to those of the industrial revolution. Whether AI becomes a blessing or a curse depends on how we apply our collective wisdom—including spiritual and faith-based wisdom—to guide it toward the common good,” Cardinal Stephen said.
He stressed that the Church cannot address these missions alone. Unity among various Christian denominations and interfaith collaboration are essential. “Even if we as Catholics do not agree with every view of the pope, we are still called to journey with him in earnest toward a deeper unity,” he said.
“In today’s world—so self-centred and self-righteous—unity within the Church and among Christians could well be the healing remedy we need,” he added.
I know that Pope Leo would love to visit China—he told me so. So please pray that he may fulfil the unfinished dream of Pope Francis
Cardinal Stephen
In his homily in English, Cardinal Stephen recalled his experience during the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV [Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost]. He said the choice likely reflected a desire among the cardinals to continue the pastoral vision of Pope Francis, to carry forward Church reforms, and to uphold strong spirituality and sound theology.
He reminded the faithful that the signature of the pope is marked by the initials “PP”, which stands for Pastor Pastorum—“Shepherd of Shepherds.” “The pope is not meant to be a bureaucrat or a politician, but the chief shepherd of the Church,” he said.
Cardinal Stephen highlighted Pope Leo’s reputation as a great listener and expressed hope that this gift would strengthen the Church’s synodal journey. “Let us pray that he may walk in true collegiality with his fellow bishops and cardinals, and just as importantly, with the People of God—so that together we may develop a truly synodal Church,” he said.
The Mass was also an expression of Christian unity with around 20 leaders from different Christian denominations in Hong Kong present to pray for the new pope. Among them were Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming and Bishop Timothy Kwok Chi-pei and Bishop Matthias Clement Tze-wo Der of the Anglican Church; Bishop Jackson Yeung Yau-chi of the Lutheran Church; Reverend Wong Ka-fai, general secretary of the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China; Reverend Tim Lam Chun of the Methodist Church; Father Jonah Smirnov of the Russian Orthodox Church and Father Dawoud Hanna of the St. Mark and St. Thomas Coptic Church.
Father Hanna shared that he would ask for divine guidance for the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, as well as peace, unity, and faithfulness in the Church, calling on God’s blessing and protection on the new pope and his ministry. “May the Lord strengthen him with wisdom from above, fill his heart with love and guide his steps in truth and humility,” he said.
The Mass also drew civil and diplomatic representatives. Government dignitaries included former chief executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, and secretary for Development, Bernadette Linn Hon-ho. Nearly 20 members of the diplomatic corps were also in attendance, aong them was Peruvian consul general, Enrique Cardenas, who expressed joy at the election of Pope Leo and a deep personal connection to him.
“He spent many years serving as a missionary in Peru, so we feel very close to him. I will pray for the strength and wisdom he needs as he leads the universal Church,” he said.
