June 29, 2026

Today, on this feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Pope Leo invited the newly appointed metropolitan archbishops in attendance at St. Peter’s Basilica, who were present to receive the pallium, to look to these great saints to understand how all of us can be “apostles and builders of unity, and generous servants of the truth in charity.” Listening to this invitation, I could not help but think about the pilgrimage that our Diocese participated in yesterday to the summit of Mt. Cristo Rey. This encounter with many of you moved me deeply and was for me a clear sign of how God creates unexpected unity among people from different states, countries, age groups and walks of life, and thereby manifests His glory. And God did manifest His glory on Mt. Cristo Rey yesterday, just as He has many times in scripture.

I am immensely grateful for the more than 500 faithful, young and old, from our Diocese, the Dioceses of El Paso and Santa Fe, the religious sisters, my brother priests, and Bishop Anthony Celino, for accompanying me on this journey and experience of the immense power of God even in conflict. I am equally grateful for all those who accompanied us in prayer, including Archbishop John Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and Bishop Mark Seitz of the Dioceses of El Paso. All your prayers have already born much fruit.

May our joy, prayer, and song which rang throughout the borderlands continue without ceasing. Know that I will continue to join you in prayer for our Dioceses, the Church and our civil leaders. Let us continue to come together to build a more just world and defend the truth of the Gospel in charity.

Yours in Christ,

✠ Most Reverend Peter Baldacchino, Bishop of Las Cruces

Scenes from the 2.5-mile pilgrimage to the summit, where Bishop Peter Baldacchino and Bishop Anthony Celino led the faithful of the Diocese of Las Cruces and the Diocese of El Paso in Holy Mass at the Statue of Christ the King.