James Sweeney, state deputy of the N.J. State Council of the Knights of Columbus, said he was “astonished” that Pope Leo XIV took time to address the Knights of Columbus’ 143rd Supreme Convention in Washington, D.C., in a surprise video message only a few months into his papacy. The convention took place from Aug. 5 to 7.
“The room at the convention fell silent. The pope’s address in English struck every chord that every Knight of Columbus in that room feels, which is that feeling of hope that we provide through the activities and through the charity that we do throughout our state,” Sweeney said. “The pope came across as humble and fraternal — just like everybody else at the convention.”
Sweeney and Russell Petrocelli, State Secretary of the N.J. State Council of the Knights of Columbus were among 2,000 fellow knights from across the country who watched Pope Leo’s pre-recorded message while attending the knights’ major gathering in the Nation’s Capital.
Sweeney belongs to St. Jude Parish in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township, N.J., and is a member of the Father Joseph A. Cassidy Knights of Columbus Council 6100.
Petrocelli is principal of DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J., and is a member of St. Anthony Knights of Columbus Council 11585 in Wood-Ridge, N.J., in the Newark Archdiocese. He also belongs to the Church of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady in Wood-Ridge.
On Aug. 5, Pope Leo XIV delivered a message that focused on the convention’s theme, “Heralds of Hope,” and the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. The pontiff praised the knights’ charitable work, prayers, fraternity, and outreach to the most vulnerable, including the unborn, pregnant mothers, children, and those affected by war. He urged the knights to continue being “tangible signs of hope” for those facing hardships.
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“As Catholics, we know that the source of our hope is Jesus Christ, and he has sent his followers in every age to bring the good news of his saving Paschal Mystery to the entire world,” Pope Leo said in his address.
Petrocelli also called Pope Leo’s address this year a “surprise.” Pope Leo was elected on May 8 in Rome as the first U.S.-born pontiff in Church history.
The last pope to address the convention was St. Pope John Paul II, Petrocelli said. Other popes have written letters that were read at these conventions.
“You could hear the buzz [in the room at the convention], and then the pope appeared on the screen. You think about what that means to the 2 million members of the Knights of Columbus around the world, that the Pope takes the time to address you and thank you for what you do,” Petrocelli said.
Pope Leo’s message can be viewed on the Catholic News Service YouTube channel.
Steve Sears is a correspondent for BeaconNJ.org.
