The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), a global fellowship rooted in the Reformed tradition and committed to justice, reconciliation and Christian unity, has extended its warmest congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new bishop of Rome.

With more than 100 million members across 109 countries, the WCRC sees the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy as an opportunity to strengthen ecumenical relationships and reaffirm a shared Christian calling to serve a world in deep need of healing and hope.

“On behalf of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, I extend our prayers and warm congratulations to Pope Leo XIV,” said the Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the WCRC. “As a communion committed to fostering unity and pursuing justice, we hope his leadership will be marked by a spirit of openness, dialogue and prophetic witness in today’s world.”

The WCRC’s mission is to nurture communion among Reformed churches while engaging in God’s transforming work of justice in society. Grounded in a theology that proclaims God’s liberating grace, the communion works across regions and traditions to promote peace, economic and ecological justice, gender equity, and faithful Christian witness in public life.

The WCRC has long recognized the importance of building bridges between traditions. Its ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church has been a vital part of this work, yielding deeper theological understanding and a commitment to shared action — most notably through participation in the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.

“As churches of the Reformation, we are deeply aware of both our distinctives and our shared commitments with our Catholic siblings,” Nyomi said. “We trust that Pope Leo XIV’s leadership will encourage continued progress toward visible unity in the body of Christ, especially as we work together to respond to the suffering of the world.”

In a time marked by global inequality, conflict and environmental crisis, the WCRC affirms that faith communities must lead the way in cultivating hope and standing in solidarity with the most vulnerable. The election of Pope Leo XIV is not only a milestone for the Roman Catholic Church but also an invitation for all Christians to renew their dedication to a gospel that brings justice, peace and reconciliation.

The WCRC prays that Pope Leo XIV’s ministry will be guided by wisdom, humility and courage as he leads with a heart open to the work of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the world.