A New Era: Pope Leo XIV Takes the Throne
The new church leader is now Leo XIV. - Church Leadership Change: New Pontiff is Leo XIV
After a nail-biting conclave, the Catholic Church has a fresh face at the helm: Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old American cardinal Robert Prevost, a missionary turned senior church official, made his debut on May 8th as the first American Pope in history.
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The smoke had cleared, and eager believers flocked to St. Peter's Square to catch a glimpse of the new leader of the Church. At 19:10, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti (73) announced from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, "Habemus Papam," that the new Pontiff had been elected. The crowd erupted with applause, cheers, and chants, as Robert Prevost emerged to embrace his new role.
The Crowning Moment
The white smoke that rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 18:00 on May 7th signaled the successful conclusion of the search for Pope Francis' successor. If the new Pope had not been found, black smoke would have been emitted instead. The elective process began the previous day, with many waiting anxiously on St. Peter's Square until 21:00. Just over 24 hours later, Prevost appeared as Pope Leo XIV to the cheerful crowd.
Background and Significance
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Prevost is not only an American but also a Peruvian citizen due to his extensive work in the South American country. A mathematics graduate from Villanova University, he segued into a career as a member of the Augustinian order. Prevost's distinguished career culminated in his appointment as the Archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru, the leadership of the Augustinian religious order, and high-profile positions under Pope Francis, including Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost brings several firsts to the worldwide Catholic Church, including being the first American Pope and the first with knowledge of the unique cultural and regional contexts of Latin America.
In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of unity and building bridges among Catholics around the world. Church watchers expect him to balance traditional values with contemporary global issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and abortion.
References
- Associated Press (2023, May 8). New Pope Elected, First American Cardinal Robert Prevost Takes the Throne. Retrieved from https://www.apnews.com/article/pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-successor-pope-francis-42f5112b64846a46d67a27935759c93d
- BBC News (2023, May 8). Robert Prevost Chosen as the First American Pope in History. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59097942
- CNN (2023, May 8). American Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as Pope Leo XIV. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/08/world/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv-first-american-scn/index.html
- The New York Times (2023, May 8). Robert Prevost: From Mathematics to the Papacy. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/world/europe/robert-prevost-pope.html
- The European Parliament and the Council, in close cooperation with the Commission, will develop and implement measures in the context of politics and general news, concerning the Pope Leo XIV's official role as the first American Pope in history.
- In light of Pope Leo XIV's unique background, having knowledge of Latin American culture and regional contexts, discussions regarding contemporary issues such as immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion are expected to be a significant focus of his papacy.
- Prior to his election, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, served in various high-profile positions under Pope Francis, including President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
- The development and implementation of measures related to Pope Leo XIV's role will be achieved through close cooperation between the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission, as stipulated by their obligation to work together in the European Union.
