Archbishop McGovern leaves Rome with more than a pallium

When Archbishop Michael G. McGovern returns from Rome this week, he’ll bring back his new pallium – and more.

During an online conference with news media in the Omaha area, Archbishop McGovern shared some of the experiences and blessings he received during his week in the Eternal City, which culminated on June 29, when he received the special liturgical vestment from Pope Leo XIV.

He was among 53 other metropolitan archbishops from around the world to receive the pallium on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. A group from the Archdiocese of Omaha joined Archbishop McGovern on the trip, including two priests, several archdiocesan staff members and other local Church leaders and supporters.

Archbishop McGovern displays his pallium at the Pontifical North American College in Rome after receiving it from Pope Leo XIV. CNS PHOTO/LOLA GOMEZ

Here’s what the archbishop said he’ll take home because of the gift of the pallium:

UNITY WITH JESUS: The pallium and the way it is worn over the shoulders “resembles in some ways … a lamb being carried,” the archbishop said. The archbishops are called to be like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who is often pictured carrying a lamb on his shoulders as He leads His flock “home, to green pastures, to flowing waters.”

The pallium, Archbishop McGovern said, is a sign of Christ’s pastoral care.

UNITY WITH THE ANCIENT CHURCH: Archbishop McGovern also will return with a new sense of closeness with the Church of antiquity, with Jesus his Shepherd and with St. Peter, the Lord’s apostle to whom he entrusted the care of the Church.

The pallia (plural) were placed overnight near St. Peter’s tomb before the pope blessed them at Mass and placed them over the shoulders of the kneeling archbishops.

UNITY WITH THE POPE AND OTHER BISHOPS: Archbishop McGovern will return united in a new way with Pope Leo XIV and other bishops throughout the world, because the pallium is a sign of unity with the pope and his authority.

Archbishop McGovern was able to visit with some of the other 53 new archbishops, who shared what was on their hearts, including their concerns for the people in their care.

New metropolitan archbishops wear their pallia during a June 29 Mass with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Basilica. CNS PHOTO/PABLO ESPARZA

“Something that I walk away with,” he said, “is just that sense of how together we can help one another to be good shepherds wherever we are.”

“When you think about all of these different archbishops, with these millions of people who are part of the Church, it’s just a great sign of unity of all of us united together: one Lord, one faith, one Baptism.”

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