Guam’s Archbishop Ryan Jimenez recently met with Pope Leo XIV, sharing the hardships and hopes of life in the Pacific.

Jimenez received the pallium in St. Peter's Basilica last Sunday, a symbol of his unity with the pope.

As head of the Pacific’s Episcopal Conference, he spoke to Vatican News about challenges in the region, including rising sea levels, costly travel, and migration.

Just before meeting with the Pope, Jimenez said, he received a message from a colleague in Tuvalu, “Please tell the Holy Father that we are sinking.”

Still, Jimenez stressed the joys of serving in the Pacific, from the rich indigenous cultures to the region’s vibrant, colorful liturgies.

He says Pope Leo encouraged him, saying, “You have many challenges in your archdiocese, but know that God is with you.”