Paul O’Kane MSP Tables Motion to Celebrate Election of Pope Leo XIV
Paul O’Kane, Member of the Scottish Parliament for West Scotland, has lodged a motion in Holyrood recognising the election of Pope Leo XIV — a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Scotland and across the globe.
The motion has gathered cross-party support, with a number of MSPs adding their signatures. It remains open for further endorsement by members of the Scottish Parliament.
Paul O’Kane intends to send a copy of the motion to the Vatican as a gesture of goodwill from the people of Scotland to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
The full text of the motion reads as follows:
Election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
That the Parliament welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope on the second day of the Papal Conclave, following the death of the late Pope Francis; notes that he has chosen the name, Pope Leo XIV; further notes his extensive time as a missionary in Peru, his role as Bishop of Chiclayo, and his leadership in the Church as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America; acknowledges that he was born in Chicago, thus becoming the first Pope from the United States of America, but that he also has international connections with his parents being of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, and him speaking multiple languages, including Spanish, Italian and French; celebrates with the Catholic community in Scotland and around the world upon the election of the new Holy Father; wishes him well in his Pontificate, and acknowledges his first words as Pope from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica regarding “building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.”
A list of current signatories can be viewed on the Scottish Parliament website via the following link:
