Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis was seen chatting and smiling with Archbishop Leo Cushley when he bestowed the pallium on the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh on Sunday.

The Motherwell-born former Vatican diplomat was head of the English-language section of the Vatican Secretariat of State and, in that role, worked closely with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and then Pope Francis before his own Episcopal ordination for St Andrews and Edinburgh on September 21 last year.

Archbishop Cushley was one of 24 metropolitan archbishops installed in the past year who were honoured by the Holy Father on Sunday during the solemnity of Ss Peter and Paul at the Vatican. He was also privileged to concelebrate Mass at the High Altar of St Peter’s.

“It is not the first time that I have concelebrated there, but it is extremely rare and something of a privilege, as only the Holy Father normally says Mass at it,” the archbishop told the SCO. “It fell to me this time because I was one of the four longest nominated (since June 29 2013) of the new metropolitans, the Holy See pays attention to things like that. The Holy Father was very warm and welcoming.”

Archbishop Cushley travelled to Rome for the ceremony with a group of Scots pilgrims. Commenting before the pallium Mass, Archbishop Cushley said: “I am honoured to receive the pallium from our Holy Father Pope Francis, the supreme Shepherd of the universal Church, as a sign of communion with him and of our shared pastoral duty towards Christ’s flock.

“I am delighted that my family and friends and many from the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, especially many young people, have chosen to come on pilgrimage with me to the Tomb of Peter and to greet the Pope.

“I also bear the good wishes and affection of many Scots, Catholics and not, who have expressed to me their esteem for the Holy Father.

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—Pic: L’Osservatore Romano

- Read the full version of this story in July 4 edition of the SCO.