Fr. Manuel Enrique Barrios Prieto, Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), described their recent meeting with Pope Leo XIV as an unexpected and deeply meaningful moment. Speaking to Vatican News, he reflected on the privilege of being received by the newly elected Pope at such an early stage in his pontificate, calling it "a surprise and a profound gift."
“We truly didn’t anticipate an audience at the very beginning of Pope Leo’s papacy,” Fr. Barrios shared. “Typically, we meet with the Holy Father as the COMECE Presidency and Standing Committee, but this came as an extraordinary surprise.”
The audience, originally requested during the final days of Pope Francis’ papacy, was presumed to have been indefinitely postponed. “We assumed the meeting would be cancelled after Pope Francis' passing,” Fr. Barrios admitted. “But to our surprise, when we contacted the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household last week to confirm our continued interest, they quickly responded with a yes.”
Calling the moment "a true blessing," Fr. Barrios emphasized how the encounter became a rare opportunity to present COMECE’s mission and efforts directly to the new Pope. What stood out most, he said, was Pope Leo XIV’s humble posture of listening.
“Right from the start, Pope Leo said, ‘I don’t have all the answers. I want to listen to you,’” Fr. Barrios recounted. “Each of us had the opportunity to speak freely, sharing our thoughts, concerns, and hopes. The Holy Father listened intently and with great care.”
Though Pope Leo spoke briefly during the meeting, his primary intention was to hear the voices of the COMECE representatives. Among the topics discussed were pressing global concerns — foremost, the war in Ukraine and the Church’s call for peace — along with matters such as migration, family life, artificial intelligence, and the broader moral responsibilities facing Europe.
“Inspiration is the best word for what we felt,” Fr. Barrios concluded. “To begin Pope Leo’s pontificate with such an open and meaningful dialogue was not only encouraging but spiritually uplifting. It was a significant moment to sit before the Successor of Peter and feel truly heard.”