Robert Francis Prevost elected first American pope
Pope
Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after
being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the
Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)Habemus papam! We have a pope.
At 7:14 p.m. Rome time, an hour after white smoke had issued forth, the cardinal proto-deacon, Dominique Mamberti, 73, who was born in Morocco to French parents, came to the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce to the world the name of the new pope. He made the announcement in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam!” (“I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope!”). Then, breaking the suspense, he continued in Latin the name of the cardinal who is now pope:
Cardinal Robert Prevost, O.S.A.
Next he announced the name the new pope has chosen to be known by: Leo XIV.
The first American-born pope, Leo XIV came onto the balcony at 7:23 p.m. Rome time to roars from the crowd. His first words as Holy Father were in Italian: “Peace be with all of you!”
Cardinal Robert Prevost, O.S.A., a former prior general of the Augustinians and longtime missionary in Peru, did not enter the conclave as a favorite to succeed Pope Francis. His reputation as a trusted, steady figure who was known for his humility, discretion and balanced judgment may have raised him to the fore.
Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old new pontiff was appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential roles in the church, where he oversaw the selection of bishops worldwide. Before his time in Rome, he served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, and played a key role in strengthening church leadership across Latin America.
This story will be updated.
No comments:
Post a Comment