“He has preached the precepts of the Gospel according to the Heart of Christ” – Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Raymond Burke, who celebrated his 50th years of priestly life on June 30th, 2025, shared on his X account a personal letter he recently received from Pope Leo XIV. He wrote:
“Praised be Jesus Christ! I am very humbled to have received this letter from His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of my ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Please join me in thanking Our Lord for the election of Pope Leo XIV, Successor of Saint Peter, as the Shepherd of the Church throughout the world. Please also pray for Pope Leo XIV that Our Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Peter Apostle, and Pope Saint Leo the Great, will grant him abundant wisdom, strength, and courage to do all that Our Lord is asking of Him in these tumultuous times. May God bless Pope Leo and grant him many years. Viva il Papa!”
Praised be Jesus Christ! I am very humbled to have received this letter from His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of my ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Please join me in thanking Our Lord for the election of Pope Leo XIV, Successor of Saint… pic.twitter.com/MOQ2TnUypJ
— Cardinal Burke (@cardinalrlburke) July 8, 2025
The translation of the letter reads:
“To Our Venerable Brother RAYMOND LEO Cardinal BURKE of the Holy Roman Church Cardinal-Priest of the Basilica of Saint Agatha of the Goths at Rome As he celebrates the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination in Rome, which he received as a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse, we thank him for the prompt service he has zealously carried out and the earnest care he has demonstrated most especially for the law, which has also been of good service to the Dicastries of the Apostolic See. He has preached the precepts of the Gospel according to the Heart of Christ and has recounted His treasures, diligently offering his devoted service to the Church universal. While anticipating the very best for him, and under the watchful care of blessed Peter and Paul the Apostles, it is our good pleasure to impart our Apostolic Blessing to him and to those near to him. Given at the Vatican, 17 June, in the Holy Year 2025 Pope Leo XIV”
Back in December 2023, Pope Francis decided to deprive US Cardinal Raymond of his subsidized Vatican apartment and stipend; however, Cardinal Burke never complained and continued to serve the Church with humility and joy. Burke was one of the first cardinals to arrive to Vatican when Pope Francis was severely ill in February 2025. He was seen holding the Rosary at St. Peter’s square, along with the faithful, praying for the Pope’s recovery.
The humility of Cardinal Burke is worthy of admiration.
There he is, in Rome, holding his most powerful weapon, praying for Pope Francis. pic.twitter.com/JmUjvkZWW4
— Catholics for Catholics 🇺🇲 (@CforCatholics) February 25, 2025
After Pope Francis, may he rest in peace, passed away in April 2025, Cardinal Burke led a massive prayer campaign, commending the Conclave and the new elected Pope to Our Lady Of Guadalupe. Although the Cardinal, 77 years old, seemed to be a Papabile cardinal to many, he never looked himself as one. On the contrary, he continued to pray for the future Pope and gave thanks to God and Our Lady of Guadalupe when the new American Pope, Cardinal Prevost, was chosen as the new Pope of the Catholic Church. Cardinal Burke has shown hope and enthusiasm for the new Vicar of Christ, Pope Leo XIV, and so does the Universal Church. We, the Catholic People, also congratulate and give thanks to the Lord, Our God for Cardinal Burke and his 50 years of priesthood.
¡Viva il Cardinale!
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