Pope Leo XIV will not succeed as Francis II.
By Solveig Bach
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The Catholic Church quickly agrees on the new Pope Leo XIV, a man who seems to be the perfect candidate for the times. His first words in office hint at what his pontificate could be like.
Our new pope, Robert Francis Prevost, steps onto St. Peter's Basilica's central balcony at 7:23 PM, just 70 minutes after the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel. The US-born Augustinian monk, who dedicated years of his life to Peru, wins the hearts of 133 eligible cardinals in the fourth round of voting.
Surprisingly, the cardinals reach a decision quickly, possibly finding the open-minded and globally-minded Prevost an appealing choice for the Church.
The Big Announcement
Why the conclave chose the 69-year-old Prevost becomes clear when Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd for the first time. Emotion chokes his voice as he delivers a powerful message with simple theological themes: "God loves you," "We are all in God's hands," and "God loves us all, and evil will not prevail."
Tribute to the Predecessor
Many on St. Peter's Square look ecstatic, waving their cameras in the air, while Leo XIV, adorned in more splendid vestments than his forebear, says, "Peace be with you all." He greets his beloved Peruvian diocese of Chiclayo, thanking them for supporting him throughout his journey. Pope Francis appointed Prevost as bishop of Chiclayo in 2015.
Leo XIV remembers Pope Francis's last public appearance on Easter Sunday, recalling his "weak but always courageous" voice imparting the blessing "Urbi et Orbi" to the world. He aspires to build on this blessing.
A Call to Action
The new pope emphasizes that the Church must be a bridge builder and promoter of dialogue, urging the faithful to engage in dialogue and encounters to create one united people and fostering peace. He offers his love, charity, presence, and dialogue to all who need it.
Will Leo XIV continue Francis's Legacy?
While his exact plans for his papacy remain uncertain, Leo XIV signals a desire to continue building bridges and fostering unity, much like his predecessor. He explicitly mentions women and men and even touches upon the controversial topic of women priests, showing signs of an inclusive pontificate.
As a prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and a missionary who spent time in Peru in the mid-1980s, Leo XIV embraces the role of the missionary pope. Some observers anticipate that he will intensify the peace efforts initiated by Pope Francis, possibly following a more liberal approach.
Only time will tell what Pope Leo XIV has in store for the Church and the world. What is clear is that he comes across as a compassionate and unifying figure with a strong vision for the future.
Source: ntv.de
- Vatican
- Pope Francis
Insights from Enrichment Data:- Peace and Christ's Legacy: Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the importance of Christ's peace, which He describes as a "disarmed and disarming" peace that originates from God. His mission is to ensure that this peace spreads to families, nations, and the entire Earth.- Missionary Discipleship: Pope Leo XIV promotes the idea of being a missionary disciple, with Christ as the guide for spreading the Church's teachings worldwide.- Synodality: Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the importance of synodality, which involves greater collaboration and consultation within the Church to ensure unity and mutual understanding.- Global Unity and Dialogue: Leo XIV's agenda also includes fostering unity among nations and people by promoting dialogue and encounter, thereby embracing diversity and building bridges for peace.
- The European Parliament, intrigued by the election of Pope Leo XIV, expressed interest in hearing more about his vision to build bridges and foster unity, similar to Pope Francis.
- As a missionary pope, Pope Leo XIV, in his Florida visit, had a meeting with the President of the Prevost College, discussing the role of education in promoting social-media awareness and the importance of entertainment with a moral and ethical grounding.
- During the interview with the Pope on social media, officeholders from various European Parliament committees asked questions about Pope Leo XIV's stance on controversial issues, such as women priests and the role of the Church in contemporary society.
- Following the announcement of Pope Leo XIV's call for a joint initiative between religious and political leaders to address global issues, many heads of state and religious figures offered their support on social media, expressing their agreement that such cooperation would lead to positive outcomes for all of humanity in 1903 and beyond.
