The New Pope Takes the Throne: Tens of Thousands Roar in Excitement - America's Robert Francis Prevost Ascends as Leo XIV
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Thrilled cheers, tears, and 'Long Live the Pope' - Multitudes rejoice in the Pope's celebration - Throngs of People Cheer, Shed Tears, and Shout "Viva il Papa" - Tens of Thousands Honor the Pope
The air on St. Peter's Square buzzes with uncontainable energy as a plume of white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 18:07, sending the crowd into a frenzy! People embrace, cheer, and rush in to witness the historic moment. The identity of the new leader remains shrouded in mystery, but this much is certain: the Catholic Church has a new head elected in the conclave.
Thousands gather on the square since early morning hours, anticipating the next sign from the Sistine Chapel, after the first black smoke signal on Wednesday evening and the second at noon. As the smoke cloud emerges, whispers turn into gasps and soon triumphant cheers fill the air.
The spectators' curiosity piques in that moment, unsure of the name of the churchman who will steer the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members. There's an anxious waiting period, filled with speculation among the people.
It takes about an hour for the announcement, as curtain after curtain gives way and finally, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti steps out. "We have a Pope!" he declares in Latin to the thunderous applause from the crowd. Concealing his identity for dramatic effect, he announces the name of the new Pontiff: Robert Francis Prevost. The 69-year-old American will take the name Leo XIV.
The crowd erupts with joy! People make calls back home in every language imaginable, sharing their emotions with loved ones. Some have to pull out their phones to find out where exactly the new Pope hails from.
A Italian woman in the crowd suspects Prevost may be French due to his name. During the new Pope's speech, the spectators let loose their passions, shouting "Viva il Papa!" Waving their national flags high, the Spanish-speaking countries in particular cheer at Leo XIV's warm greeting in Spanish. The Romans feel a special pride, their bishop and now Pope being none other than their own.
Pioneer Pope of the USA
This momentous occasion marks a first for the Catholic Church – the selection of a Pope from the United States, inaugurating a new era in church history. Robert Francis Prevost's list of accomplishments is impressive: he has held key leadership roles within the Vatican as a cardinal and has a history of missionary work in Peru and heading the Augustinian order. He is widely known for his work as a mediator between reformers and traditionalists within the church.
The anticipation build-up and the many revelations still to come indicate that Pope Leo XIV will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the world. As the mayor of the Italian capital, Roberto Gualtieri, writes on the X platform, "Rome warmly welcomes its bishop and new Pope Leo XIV. His pontificate will surely tackle the challenges of our time with courage, foresight, and diplomacy. Under the bold banners of dialogue, peace, and integration, Pope Leo XIV's papacy will be one to remember."
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Additional Facts
- Background of Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost
Pope Leo XIV, born as Robert Francis Prevost, is a significant figure in the Catholic Church, marking several firsts in his appointment. He is the first American and the first Augustinian to be elected as Pope. Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost's parents were of French and Italian descent.
- Early Life and Career
- Missionary Work: In 1985, Prevost began his missionary work in Peru, serving in Chulucanas and later in Trujillo. He held various roles, including community prior, director of formation, and professor at the "San Carlos y San Marcelo" Major Seminary. He also served as judicial vicar in the Archdiocese of Trujillo.
- Leadership within the Augustinian Order: Prevost was elected provincial prior of the "Mother of Good Counsel" province in Chicago in 1999. He became the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2001 and was re-elected in 2007, serving until 2013. His tenure focused on strengthening the Order's global presence and commitment to education and pastoral care.
- Episcopal Ministry
- Apostolic Administrator and Bishop: In 2014, Prevost was appointed by Pope Francis as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and was consecrated as a bishop on December 12, 2014. He served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. During this period, he also held the position of second vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference. In 2020, he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Callao.
- Naturalization: Due to his deep commitment to the Peruvian Church, Prevost was naturalized as a Peruvian citizen in 2015.
- Recent Appointments
- Cardinal: Robert Francis Prevost was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis in the Consistory of September 30, 2024, and assigned the Diaconate of Saint Monica.
- Dicastery Appointments: He was appointed to several Dicasteries by Pope Francis, including those for Evangelization, Doctrine of the Faith, Eastern Churches, Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Culture and Education, and Legislative Texts.
- Promotion to Order of Bishops: Prevost was promoted to the Order of Bishops on February 6, 2025, with the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.
- The European Parliament, recognizing Robert Francis Prevost's pivotal role as the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, certainly expresses its concern about the situations unfolding in the Middle East, hoping that his diplomatic skills will promote peace and dialogue among nations.
- Despite having many accomplishments, such as holding key leadership roles within the Vatican and missionary work in Peru, Robert Francis Prevost's journey began in a modest way, with a humble upbringing in Chicago, Illinois, where his parents were of French and Italian descent.
- Intriguingly, the Sistine Chapel, where the election of the new Pope traditionally takes place, bears no resemblance to a sports venue, yet the excitement surrounding the election of Pope Leo XIV, a man of strong leadership and an Augustinian background, fills the air just as intense as any sports competition, with the anxious spectators chanting and waving their flags high in anticipation of their new bishop, who will be nicknamed the 'Pioneer Pope of the USA'.
