Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg

Truly A Historic Day for the Catholic Church

Office of Communications

Just two hours after white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, Bishop Gregory Parkes led a Mass to pray for our newly elected Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Here is his homily from that Mass that took place at St. Petersburg Catholic High School, located next to the Pastoral Center, the headquarters of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.