Pope Leo XIV received in private audience the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors Oct. 6 and commended the Order’s charitable work, including “efforts to uphold the sanctity of human life in all of its stages.”
The audience took place in the Sala del Concistoro (Hall of the Consistory) of the Vatican Apostolic Palace during the board’s pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year of Hope.
“Through a variety of initiatives undertaken by local councils,” Pope Leo said, “you and your brother Knights also seek to bring the compassion and love of the Lord into your local communities, including through your efforts to uphold the sanctity of human life in all of its stages, to assist victims of war and natural disasters, and also to support priestly vocations.”
The Holy Father expressed his gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for its role in restoring two 17th-century works by Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini in St. Peter’s Basilica: the iconic baldacchino and the gilt bronze monument containing the Chair of St. Peter. The monthslong cleaning and preservation projects, underwritten by the Order, were undertaken by the Fabbrica di San Pietro in 2024 in anticipation of the Jubilee Year.
“These masterpieces help all who look upon them to contemplate two of the principal tenets of our faith: the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the pope as successor of Peter, who unites and guides the Church,” Pope Leo said. “I would like to express profound gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for your generosity in making these projects possible. They are a visible sign of your continued devotion to the Vicar of Christ,” he added, noting the millions of pilgrims who would see the restored masterpieces over the course of the Jubilee Year.
Pope Leo further noted, “Throughout its history, the Order has supported the charitable work of the Roman pontiff in a variety of ways,” enabling him “to express solidarity with the poor and most vulnerable throughout the world.”
Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori met privately with the U.S.-born Pope Leo for the first time on July 4. During that meeting, they pledged the Order’s loyalty to the new pontiff and provided an overview of the activities of the Knights of Columbus.
The supreme knight and supreme chaplain again met with Pope Leo shortly before the Oct. 6 audience with the board of directors. In addition to discussing K of C initiatives and sharing about their recent visit to the Holy Land, Supreme Knight Kelly presented the Holy Father with a bound copy of personal petitions submitted during the Order’s novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The novena, which was prayed for the intentions of the newly elected pontiff, began June 19, the anniversary of Pope Leo’s ordination as a priest. The supreme knight also presented a calligraphed copy of a resolution in honor of the Holy Father, adopted by the delegates to the 143rd Supreme Convention in August.
“It was a wonderful meeting where we were able to express our thanks to him and what he means to us,” said Supreme Knight Kelly in an interview with Vatican News following the pope’s Oct. 6 audience with the board. “We were honored that he expressed his gratitude to the Knights of Columbus and the works that we do to support the Church, to support the Vatican and to support human life.”