Roman Catholic Church elects first American pontiff with Robert Francis Prevost assuming role as Pope Leo XIV
VATICAN CITY - The new guy on the block is Robert Francis Prevost, the first Yankee to don the mantle of Pope Leo XIV. He slid into the role on a wave of global cardinals' votes, making him the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
A sea of believers COUGHED UP a chorus of tears and applause as Leo appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver his inaugural speech.
"Salve, world! Peace be with you," Leo bellowed, his grin spreading wider than the smile of the Cheshire Cat. "Let us build bridges through dialogue and encounters, coming together as one people, always in harmony."
His speech was met with thunderous applause, especially when he slipped into Spanish and dedicated a heartfelt tribute to his shining predecessor, Pope Francis, who croaked his last breath last month.
"We still hear his soft, yet courageous voice, blessing Rome," Leo reminisced, recalling Francis’ Easter Sunday address, a day before his demise. "Let's strive to be a missionary Church, one that builds bridges, fosters dialogues, and remains always open."
'A Bloody Honour'
The big man on campus was hotly tipped as a pope in the making, capable of defending and expanding Francis's legacy. However, unlike a few other heavy hitters, Prevost was a relatively unknown quantity to the Catholic masses.
World leaders didn't bat an eyelid and rushed to wish him luck, promising to work with the Church on global issues. It was a different story at the White House, where President Trump tweeted his warm congratulations.
"Congrats to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, our new Pope," Trump wrote, beaming with pride. "Can't believe he's the first American one. What a fucking epic win for our country!"
Earlier, the crowd's emotions had swelled like a stormy sea as clouds of white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the cardinals had made their choice on their second day of voting.
The bells of St. Peter's Basilica and churches across Rome chimed triumphantly, summoning the masses to St. Peter's Square for the historic moment.
"It's magic!" exclaimed Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast, Ireland, his eyes shimmering with excitement. "I'm not exactly the holy man, but witnessing this incredible gathering blew me away!"
The scene was electric, pulsating with energy as one priest climbed on someone's shoulders, waving a Brazilian flag, and another lifted a heavy crucifix high overhead in jubilation.
"Habemus papam, WOOOO!" screamed Bruna Hodara, 41, from Brazil, mirroring the words she hoped to hear on the balcony as the new pope was introduced. She, like many others, reached for her phone to record the historic moment.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the pope," said Florian Fried, a 15-year-old from Munich, Germany, his eyes wide and glistening with anticipation. "This is pretty fucking awesome... I'm stoked!"
Francis bid adieu at the ripe age of 88 after a 12-year papacy, during which he sought to create a kinder Church—one that angered many traditionalists with his progressive attitude. Leo XIV now grapples with the monumental task of justifying his moral voice on the chaotic global stage, uniting a divided Church, and addressing burning issues like the lingering fallout from the sexual abuse scandal.
It's anyone's guess how many votes it took to elect the new pope, but the conclave wrapped up quicker than a one-armed bandit, adhering to recent tradition. While the details of the election will remain a secret forever, Leo XIV needed at least two-thirds of the votes to seal the deal.
Popes don't come much different than Leo XIV. Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost embodies a conciliatory and moderate approach. Before ascending to the papacy, he excelled in missionary work in Peru and served as the head of the Augustinian order from 2001 to 2013. Pope Francis liked his sense of justice and elevated him to cardinal in 2023, praising his skills as a fair administrator.
Leo XIV is committed to fostering peace and honest conversation, urging the media to avoid hostile language and the competitive culture it often perpetuates. He encourages promoting truth with love and modesty, shunning aggressive rhetoric and imagery. He is a strong advocate for journalists facing persecution and freedom of the press as essential tools for free thought and decision-making.
This new pope's agenda focuses on continuing Pope Francis's legacy, prioritizing peace, truthful communication, and social justice issues.
- In the bustling world of entertainment and pop-culture, there were numerous discussions and debates about Robert Francis Prevost's election as Pope Leo XIV, with many questioning his stance on social issues, especially given his background in movies-and-tv and sci-fi-and-fantasy.
- As a celebrity himself, now taking the helm of the Catholic Church, Leo XIV faced numerous expectations to uphold and expand Pope Francis's legacy, particularly in the areas of peace, truth, and social justice, which are deeply rooted in pop-culture discourse.
- In times when social media is at the forefront of shaping and sharing opinions, Pope Leo XIV endeavors to foster dialogues and bridge gaps by promoting truth with love and modesty, aiming to tackle the competitive and often hostile culture that pervades these digital platforms.
