Bishop Kevin Kenney of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was among the bishops who met with Pope Leo XIV for the Vatican’s annual formation courses for new bishops.
Catholic News Service (CNS) reported close to 200 clerics who had been named bishops in the past year met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome for the formation.
“Maybe some of you are still saying: Why was I chosen? At least I ask myself that,” the pope said Sept. 11, according to CNS. “The gift you have received is not for yourselves, but to serve the cause of the Gospel. You have been chosen and called to be sent out as apostles of the Lord and as servants of the faith.”
The pope spent more than three hours with the bishops, CNS reported, then spent roughly 90 minutes listening to the bishops’ concerns and responding to their questions behind closed doors.
The pope “shared his story and encouraged all of us to live the calls we have received,” Bishop Kenney said in a text message. “He is a very humble man and sincere in his words and actions!”
Bishop Kenney said that at the end of the gathering, the pope took a photo with each bishop individually.
“I thanked him for his words of prayer for Annunciation at the Angelus two Sundays ago,” Bishop Kenney said. “I gave him an Annunciation VIP button and wished him a ‘Happy Birthday!’ As I left, he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘God bless you!’”
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