by Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott
Beloved Church,
Every so often, the world pauses to watch white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel. And last week, it did just that. Pope Leo XIV has been elected, and while that may feel like news from another corner of the Christian family tree, it’s a moment worth noticing—and reflecting on—even for us in the United Church of Christ.
We are not Catholic, of course. We embrace a covenantal polity, which means our various settings—local churches, Associations, Conferences, and the national setting—are bound together not by hierarchy, but by sacred promises to walk together in mutual respect and love. So, there are no cardinals in red robes. No Vatican. Our churches don’t wait for word from Rome before we make decisions. That’s part of what makes us who we are. But that doesn’t mean we’re disconnected. We are, after all, part of one Body.
So what does it mean for us?
In the UCC, leadership isn’t handed down—it’s something we discern together. We believe God speaks through community, and we trust the Holy Spirit to move not just in pulpits but also in the pews, committee meetings, neighborhood outreach, and quiet prayers.
The Manual on Ministry reminds us that covenant is at the heart of how we do church, not control or hierarchy, but sacred promises to walk together, even when it’s hard. That’s our strength: not one voice from above, but many voices listening for God together.
Whoever wears the papal white, the Pope is more than a leader for Roman Catholics. He becomes a symbol—sometimes a sign of compassion, sometimes a challenge to justice, and always a reminder that the Church (big “C”) still matters in the world.
As UCC people, we might not follow the Pope but pay attention. We watch for how this new leader speaks to issues we care deeply about: immigration, the dignity of LGBTQ+ people, the role of women in the Church, climate justice, interfaith relationships, and the healing of division. We hope and pray that his voice will be one of welcome, grace, and courage.
This is also a good time to remember what it means to be our kind of church. The Manual on the Local Church says each congregation is a “gathered community living in relationship to God, one another, and the world.” That’s a beautiful and bold calling. It means we don’t need a global spotlight to do sacred work. Every local act of welcome, every protest for justice, every cup of coffee shared in compassion—that’s Church, too.
So yes, Pope Leo XIV has been chosen, and we should pray for him. And we will keep showing up—as the people of God, doing the work of love, justice, and deep listening in our communities. May we live the gospel with courage in our bones and covenant in our hearts.
With hope,
Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott