“Synodality is a gift for the Church.” Speaking is Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Archbishop of Perth and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. One month into Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, he offers a personal perspective on the early signs of this journey, intertwining memory, discernment, and vision. “We are called to be leaven, even in the midst of fractures,” he says. In this interview, he reaffirms the urgency of listening, the weight of pastoral challenges, and the hope for a papal visit to his country.
(Foto Siciliani-Gennari/SIR)
Your Grace, what emotions did you experience attending Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Mass?
I was privileged to attend both the funeral of Pope Francis and the inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV. On both occasions, I was struck by the size of the crowds which indicated to me the potential of the papacy as a point of unity. At the funeral of Pope Francis, hundreds of thousands of people were united in a remarkable combination of sadness and of gratitude; while at the inauguration of Pope Leo, hundreds of thousands of people were again united—this time in a spirit of expectation and hope. It occurs to me that this is much more than a simply human reality: it is a manifestation of the Spirit of God who unites people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation and creates in them a longing for peace and communion in a divided and troubled world.
Who is Archbishop Timothy Costelloe
A Salesian, born in 1954 in Melbourne, he has served as Archbishop of Perth since 2012. A theologian and educator, he studied in Rome at the Salesian Pontifical University and the Pontifical Gregorian University. He has served as lecturer and deputy vice-chancellor of the Australian Catholic University. Deeply committed to intercultural dialogue and education, he played a key role in the Plenary Council of Australia (2020–2022). Since 2018, he has been President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the first religious to hold the post. In 2023 he was among the delegates to the Synod on Synodality.
What signs have you observed in the figure and gestures of the new Pope?
The sobriety of his gestures, the depth of his gaze, and his prayerful silence. Pope Leo has offered an image of closeness without rhetoric. His demeanour conveys a Church that is attentive, present, and eager for reconciliation.
It is a presence that welcomes, not imposes.
Has his emphasis on unity and reconciliation found resonance in Australia?
The themes of unity and reconciliation of which Pope Leo spoke at the very beginning of his pontificate are at the heart of the message of the Gospel and therefore at the heart of the mission of the Church. This is as true of the Church in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Australia is a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith society—but also highly secularised. There is a gap between the ideal of an inclusive society and the reality of many exclusions. The Pope’s appeal touches something real and concrete.
Do the wounds of the past still challenge ecclesial life?
Certainly. I think especially of the First Nations Peoples—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities—who still suffer the consequences of centuries of marginalisation, poverty, and social dislocation.
The Church now feels the urgency to place itself at their service, promoting inclusion and reconciliation.
How has the Australian Church already begun this path?
During the Plenary Council held from 2020 to 2022, we identified this issue as central. It is not just a social commitment, but an evangelical one.
The Catholic Church in Australia
According to the 2021 Census, there are 5,075,907 Catholics in Australia, or 19.9% of the population—down from 25.3% in 2011 and 22.6% in 2016. The median age of Catholics is 43, five years above the national average. Weekly Mass attendance is 8.2%, about 417,300 faithful. Masses are celebrated in over 42 languages, and 13.6% of Catholics participate in liturgy in a language other than English. Overall, 38.9% of Australians declare no religion.
How can the ideal of a Church that is “a leaven for a reconciled world” be translated into daily pastoral ministry?
Through authentic relationships, welcoming communities, and parishes capable of engaging with their surroundings. It is not easy, but it is our vocation. As Vatican II reminds us, the Church is ‘a sacrament—that is, a sign and instrument of communion with God and unity among all people.’
It is a lofty ideal, but not negotiable.
What role does synodality play in this journey?
Synodality is a gift for the Church. It is listening, discernment, humility. It means welcoming even dissonant voices—those that challenge our certainties. Today, in many dioceses in Australia, including my own in Perth, synodality is a concrete, daily practice.
(Foto AFP/SIR)
Beyond synodality, what are the most urgent pastoral priorities today?
The first remains the wound of abuse. It is a reality that continues to call us to truth, justice, and transparency.
Is secularisation another central challenge?
Today, more than half of Australians declare no religious affiliation. Even among Catholics—the largest religious group—ecclesial participation is declining.
We need a new language to proclaim the Gospel with authenticity and credibility.
What are your expectations of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate?
His missionary experience and roots in Augustinian spirituality inspire us. We feel he understands a Church living on the margins of the Western world, yet one with much to offer.
National Eucharistic Congress 2028
The next National Eucharistic Congress in Australia will be held in 2028, promoted by the Bishops’ Conference to reaffirm the centrality of the Eucharist and respond to growing secularisation. It will be the first such Congress in the country since 1973. The event is envisioned as the culmination of the synodal path initiated by the Plenary Council (2020–2022) and a chance to renew public witness to the faith. The bishops hope Pope Leo XIV will attend.
A final message to the Pope?
I would like to tell Pope Leo that in Australia his election has been greeted with great excitement and genuine affection. May he feel our prayers. And if he should decide to visit us, perhaps for the 2028 Eucharistic Congress, he would be received with great joy. But of course, he would be welcome even sooner.
