Pope Leo XIV, former head of the Augustinian order was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025, which is the anniversary of the Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano in the 5th century. This date commemorates St. Michael's appearance and his role as a heavenly protector of the Church. The election of Pope Leo XIV on this date is seen as a link to his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII, who wrote the famous Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel after a mystical experience on May 8th. I checked my Carmelite booklet which was printed years ago, (dedicated to Mary for the month of May) for the date of May 8th. Each May day has a quotation by a Carmelite saint or venerable about Mary. Guess who was the Venerable quoted that day in the booklet for May 8th, the Pope's election day? Venerable Michael of St. Augustine. Prayers can change Popes, as has happened in the past. Entrust prayers for his papacy to the Blessed Mother and St. Michael.
Interestingly, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Apostle John on May 8—Saint John, the beloved disciple, who recorded the unity motto requested by Christ: "Ut omnes unum sint" — "That they all may be one." I even thought the new pope would choose the name John because of this, but he chose Leo, after having considered the name Augustine. In any case, the motto chosen by Pope Prevost is very similar to the Johannine motto of unity: "In Illo uno unum" — "In the one Christ we are one." Perhaps this is a sign of the future union of the Christian churches.
So many coincidences! Some I think are just that and may not have huge significance while being lovely. For example, the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV was on May 18th, the birthday of Pope St John Paul II. The Latin Mass Society has a site where you can pledge rosaries to go into a large spiritual bouquet to be sent to the HF.
