Pope Leo XIV Ascends: US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Takes the Throne
American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, from the United States, has been chosen as the new Pope, succeeding Leo XIV in the role.
It's a historical moment for the Catholic Church. US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, hailing from Chicago, has been elected as the new Pope. He has chosen the name Leo XIV. With this election, North America officially claims its first Pope. This decision reflects a compromise, symbolizing unity, as Prevost's roots, influence, and leadership experiences span across America, Latin America, and Rome.
The cardinal's ascension came after a single day and 24 hours of deliberations during the conclave within the Vatican walls. The College of Cardinals, despite cultural and church political differences, found Prevost to be the consensus candidate. As the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel's chimney shortly after 6 pm, the people gathered in St. Peter's Square erupted in cheers, and the bells of St. Peter's Cathedral tolled.
According to Italian news agency ANSA reports, Prevost was elected during the fourth ballot. There were three unsuccessful rounds of voting before the successful one on Thursday afternoon.
Post his election, the new pope was dressed in white, and the cardinals pledged their allegiance to him. A joint prayer followed, after which he moved to the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, where the Habemus Papam (We have a pope) announcement came, accompanied by the Pope's chosen name. It was none other than Leo XIV, the 267th Pontiff in the Church's two-thousand-year history.
Rumors swirled that St. Peter's Square, Rome's central square, would become increasingly packed as the white smoke signal was discernible. Residents and tourists from across the city hastened to witness this momentous occasion.
The Largest Conclave Ever
Pope Leo XIV emerged as the successor to the late Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. The cardinals entered the chapel around 5:45 pm on the first day, secluded from the outside world till the end of the conclave. This restriction extended to contacting the outside world, even during breaks and at night. No conclave has lasted longer than three days since the 1960s, including this event.
The electoral body consisted of 133 cardinals, making it larger than previously. The initial cigarette of black smoke rose into the evening sky over the Vatican on the first evening. After lunch on the second day, as well as following two more ballots, another signal came — no agreement yet. However, by evening, it was settled.
With great anticipation, the world watches as the new head of the largest Christian denomination decides whether to continue the cautious reform course set by the Argentine Francis or follow the demands of conservative cardinals for a more traditional route. In Europe, the Catholic Church has experienced a decline in members over the years, aggravated by numerous abuse scandals, while the number of Catholics is growing on other continents. The past few weeks have been marked by curiosity about whether the next pope might not hail from Italy again. Since 1978, only the Polish John Paul II, the German Benedict XVI, and the Argentine Francis have held the office.
Source: ntv.de, mli/dpa
- Vatican
- Pope Francis
- The European Parliament expressed interest in the impact of Pope Leo XIV's doctrines, given his unique global background, as he ascends as the new Pope.
- Social-media buzzed with discussions about the historical precedent of having a Pope from North America, with Pope Leo XIV being the first.
- The general-news outlets reported on the unprecedented size of the conclave, with 133 cardinals participating, which surpassed previous records.
- Entertainment shows debated the potential shift in the Catholic Church's direction under Pope Leo XIV, as he decides whether to adhere to the reform course set by Pope Francis or follow the conservative cardinals' demands.
- As the Catholic Church faces challenges, such as declining membership in Europe and growth in other continents, there is a broad agreement among theologians and observers that the new Pope's actions will significantly influence the faith's future.
