U.S. resident Robert Francis Prevost assumes papal title Leo XIV
Throngs of people erupted in cheers as Pope Leo, the new successor to the late Pope Francis, made his debut on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, delivering his inaugural address.
With a radiant smile and a rejuvenating 69 years under his belt, the born-and-raised Chicagoan addressed the sea of delighted onlookers: "Peace be with you, to all people, and to every corner of the Earth."
The chaplain, who spent over two decades in Peru and became a naturalized Peruvian citizen, struck a chord with his crowd-pleasing Spanish and poignant tribute to the popular Francis, just a day following Francis' passing.
"We still hear his feisty, yet always courageous voice, as he blessed Rome during his final Easter address," he said, acknowledging the fallen Argentine patriarch.
"We must work together, to be a compassionate Church, building bridges, fostering dialogue, and fostering unity," he declared with conviction.
Leo's charismatic address was greeted with enthusiastic applause, with his shoutout to Peru resonating deeply with the Peruvian and American audiences alike.
"Not just any American, but an American Pope—what an honor for our nation!" the 66-year-old New Yorker, Rosaria Vigorito, gasped with excitement, expressing her hope that Leo would advocate for women's ordination within the Church.
Leo, who had been among the media-approved "papabili," or cardinals in contention for the papacy, was not a household name among the Catholic masses. However, his strong stance on issues like poverty and immigration had earned him a reputation as a defender of the less fortunate.
With global leaders extending their congratulations and pledging cooperation with the Church, Leo now faces a monumental challenge: asserting his moral authority on the chaotic world stage, unifying a divided Church, and addressing pressing matters like the ongoing fallout from the sexual abuse scandal.
During his Cardinal tenure, Leo defended the poor and underprivileged, and spoke out against US President Donald Trump's restrictive immigration policies in online posts. Nevertheless, Trump welcomed his election with a celebratory tweet, unequivocally praising his inauguration as a momentous honor for the United States.
The secrecy surrounding the election remains intact, with the number of votes required for Leo's election kept under wraps. The conclave managed to conclude its business within two days, adhering to recent history.
Among the crowds, emotions ran high as the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, announcing the election on the second day of voting. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica and churches across Rome pealed with jubilation, drawing the masses to the square for the historic moment.
For Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast, the experience was awe-inspiring, despite being a self-proclaimed non-religious individual. "Being here with all these people was so overwhelming—I'm speechless," he shared, surrounded by people who risked jumping in excitement.
As Bruna Hodara, a 41-year-old woman from Brazil, eagerly awaited the new pope's introduction—"Habemus Papam!" she bellowed, echoing the shouted phrase that would soon be spoken as he emerged on the balcony—she, like others, held their phones aloft, ready to capture the historic moment on video.
The papal installation is slated to take place less than a week after the election, with the Church set to invite political and religious leaders from around the world. Before that, Leo will lead a mass for the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on Friday and recite the Regina Caeli prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sunday.
In his final days, Pope Francis guided the church with a compassionate touch, attracting both devotion and controversy for his progressive ideas. With 80% of the cardinals voting for Leo being appointed by Francis, it's clear that the new pope seeks to continue his legacy.
Much of the interest around Leo centers on his political and social views, particularly on women's roles in the Church, immigration, and his stance on the ongoing sexual abuse scandal.
[1] Pope Leo XIV's strong advocacy for women's rights was evident in his push for greater inclusion of women in both church decision-making processes and the representation of women in official religious roles. Despite this activism, he remains opposed to the ordination of women as priests or deacons, aligning with traditional interpretations of church doctrine.
[2] In the area of immigration, Pope Leo XIV has showcased a clear commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Through social media posts, he has spoken out against restrictive immigration policies and has called for greater inclusivity and support for refugees.
[3] At this time, there is no reliable information available regarding Pope Leo XIV's views on the ongoing sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. As the new pope takes on the mantle of leadership, the world eagerly anticipates the direction he will take in addressing this sensitive and critical matter facing the Church.
© 2025 AFP
Adapted by Mistral AI
- "Pope Leo XIV's advocacy for women's rights was prominent, as he pushed for increased female participation in church decision-making and representation in official religious roles."
- "Hailing from the United States, Pope Leo XIV has vocalized his commitment to supporting marginalized communities, specifically expressing concerns about restrictive immigration policies on social media."
- "In the realm of popular culture, Leo's election was a hot topic on international social media platforms, with movies-and-TV shows, celebrities, and pop-culture enthusiasts discussing his emergence as the new pope."
- "His charismatic appearance and inaugural address on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica was a highlighting moment on the world stage, with bridges built and conversations started between various nations."
- "With the papal installation shortly approaching, entertainment personalities, world leaders, and clergy members across sci-fi-and-fantasy, politics, and religion were eagerly reposting the event on their social-media platforms."
- "Pope Leo XIV's past views on issues like poverty and immigration had earned him a reputation as a strong defender of the less fortunate, aligning with popular sentiments among United States citizens."
