NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly was honored Tuesday, August 25, with his appointment by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life. Formed by Pope Francis, the Dicastery’s mission is “the promotion of life, the apostolate of the lay faithful, the pastoral care of the family and its mission according to God’s plan and for the safeguard and support of human life.”

“I am deeply grateful to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for appointing me as a member of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life,” said Supreme Knight Kelly. “Since our founding by Blessed Michael McGivney in 1882, the Knights of Columbus has been dedicated to strengthening Catholic laymen in the faith, to supporting Catholic family life, and to building up a culture of life. I look forward to supporting this vital work of the Catholic Church, and I pledge, as always, the loyalty and prayers of our 2.2 million brother Knights around the world for our Holy Father.”

Pope Leo’s message to the Knights

Earlier this month, Pope Leo sent a video message to the Knights of Columbus 144th Supreme Convention, in which the pontiff noted, “Building upon the efforts begun by your noble founder, Blessed Michael McGivney, the Knights of Columbus have worked together for well over a century to show Christ’s love to the unborn, expectant mothers, persecuted Christians, victims of war and human trafficking, the poor and vulnerable, and those who live on the margins of society. Through the initiatives undertaken by your local Councils as well as at the national and international levels, countless people have benefited from your kindness.”

Please click here to learn more about the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.

In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Conn., founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into the world’s premier lay Catholic men’s organization, with more than 2.2 million members in over 17,000 local councils.