Priest recalls historic meeting with Pope Leo XIV

In July, pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Newark, led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, joined Catholic and Orthodox faithful on a historic nine-day pilgrimage, “From Old Rome to New Rome.”

Starting from the Eternal City, the group then set out for Constantinople (current-day Istanbul) before completing their pilgrimage in Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was born 1,700 years ago.

On July 17, the third day of their trip, Pope Leo XIV greeted the group at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. Pope Leo called the pilgrimage “one of the abundant fruits of the ecumenical movement aimed at restoring full unity among all Christ’s disciples.” He urged those gathered to pursue a path of unity and fraternal charity.

Father Joseph Mancini, pastor of Saint Stephen’s Parish in Kearny, New Jersey, was among those who met the pope that day. As the Director of Archdiocesan Ceremonies and Liturgies, he serves as the head Master of Ceremonies for the Archdiocese.

Jersey Catholic asked Father Mancini what it was like to meet the new pope.

What was your first impression when you met the Holy Father? Had you ever met him before he became pope?

Father Mancini: My first impression of Pope Leo was that he was a person who was down-to-earth and very approachable. People have asked me, “Were you nervous?” and my response is, “Not really.” For one thing, I didn’t have to worry about translating what I was going to say because the Pope speaks English. Secondly, my work as Master of Ceremonies at the Cathedral has brought me into contact with many bishops and cardinals, so I just reminded myself that this was another bishop to talk to.

While I had not met Cardinal Prevost before he was elected Pope Leo XIV, meeting him in the audience was “natural”; that’s one of the vibes he gives off — his attention is on you alone as if you’re the only person in the room.

Did the Pope share any message or blessing that stood out to you?

Father Mancini: Near the conclusion of his prepared remarks to our group, the Holy Father said this: “Spiritually, all of us need to return to Jerusalem, the City of Peace, where Peter, Andrew and all the Apostles, after the days of the Lord’s passion and resurrection, received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and from there bore witness to Christ to the ends of the earth.”

This is a great call to all of us of what our mission is in today’s world — to bear “witness to Christ to the ends of the earth.” The beautiful thing about this is that we don’t all need to be members of the clergy or in consecrated life. All of us, by virtue of our baptism, are called to be witnesses today. We don’t need a doctorate in theology; we don’t need to be the most involved person in our parish; we simply need the desire to share Christ with others — what he has done for us, how he has loved us.

How has this encounter influenced your own priestly ministry or spiritual outlook?

Father Mancini: Following up on my previous answer, I strive to witness to Christ in my priestly ministry, but it’s not always easy. I encourage those I encounter, especially parishioners, to do the same thing, but it’s not always easy for them either.

I take consolation in the fact that we are all working together to make this happen. With Pope Leo XIV, I think we have a pontiff who will lead us in this regard. The charism of Saint Augustine (Pope Leo is an Augustinian priest) is a good model for us to follow. Augustine was far from God as a young man, but he slowly came to recognize the presence of Christ. I think that will be true for us as well. We are assaulted by modernism and the pull of a culture that places less and less emphasis on God and faith, so we must struggle harder against that tide. It can be done by perseverance, however.

What would you most want the faithful in your parish or diocese to know about the Pope after meeting him in person?

Father Mancini: Like I said, he is very approachable. As we’ve seen in images from other events, he is not afraid to be close to people. From what I’ve heard and seen since the election, he is a true shepherd who desires that closeness.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Father Mancini: Let’s all continue to pray for the Pope daily. It is not an easy task he has.

Featured image: Father Joseph Mancini is greeted by Pope Leo XIV at Castel Gandolfo on July 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy Fr. Joseph Mancini)