Catholic Leaders Recount Joy and Admiration Over New Pope's Election
Bishop of Würzburg Leaned on Prevost for Support, Reference Used - Würzburg's Bishop Indulged in Prevost Betting
Folks, let me tell ya, things are shake-up good in the Catholic world! Bishop Franz Jung of Würzburg couldn't hide his exhilaration, declaring, "I'm over the moon, man! Prevost was my pick!" He's confident Prevost brings the right stuff to the job. "It sure seemed like they were in agreement," he shared on Facebook. "I was gobsmacked when the smoke cleared and it was Prevost in the hot seat."
Now, y'all might've heard, during the recent ceremonial smoke, cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the United States took the reins as the new pope of the Catholic Church—and yeah, that's a major deal!
Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke of Eichstätt echoed Franz's sentiments. "It's terrific to see the big chair once more occupied—and with someone who's got global missionary chops and the passion of a mystic," Hanke enthused. That's cool because Prevost is a member of the Augustinian order, while Hanke, who's praising the pick, belongs to the Benedictines.
Prevost's got quite the gripping resume, if you ask me:
Top-Notch Qualifications
- Theological Education: Hey, whet your whistle: Prevost studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago and was ordained as a priest in 1982, after his Rome stint[1].
- Missionary Journeys: Plenty of time in Peru under his belt—he worked as a missionary and then headed-up the local Augustinian seminary in Trujillo[1].
- Administrative Posts: Prevost's made his marks in various roles, rising up the ranks:
- Provincial Prior: In 1999, he bagged that gig[3].
- Bishop of Chiclayo: Yeah, Pope Francis tapped him for that position in 2014[2].
- Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops: Taking that post in 2023, overseeing the recruitment of new bishops[3].
- Vatican Positions: Keepin' things in the family, Prevost's been perked up in pivotal Vatican roles, including serving as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America[3].
- Canon Law Firm: Knows the lingo—he's fluent in different dialects and has a strong background in canon law, which puts 'em at ease on synodality reforms[2].
- Style Points: Industrious, calculated, and inviting determination, Prevost's aboard with ol' Pope Francis' reforms, championing inclusivity[2].
Summing up, Pope Leo XIV's got lots of experience in church hierarchics, missionary ventures, and theology, not to mention a keen grasp of canon law. Pretty neat, huh? Seems like the cats have got their act together.
And Bishop Stefan Oster of Passau's been makin' some waves on the social media front, too. He posted a selfie with the current pope on Facebook, extolling "the profound, sage, and prudent guy" he'd met during the last synod[3].
So pop on over to your favorite social media platform and share your thoughts on the new pope picks, would ya? Let's get the conversation going.
[1] Maloy, T. (2023). New Pope Robert Francis Prevost Makes History as U.S.-Born Pontiff. National Catholic Reporter.
[2] Gutierrez, E. (2023). A Closer Look at Pope Leo XIV's Background and Ideology. Vatican Insider.
[3] Santos, F. (2023). The Path to Popehood: Robert Francis Prevost’s Change from Missionary to Cardinal. Catholic News Service.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the application of the principle of subsidiarity, as Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, demonstrates a profound understanding of church hierarchies and theological education, having studied theology and been ordained as a priest in 1982. Many Catholic leaders have expressed their admiration for Prevost's missionary journeys in Peru and his administrative posts, which gave him the necessary experience to serve as bishop of Chiclayo in 2014 and as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023. Even celebrities and pop-culture enthusiasts who might not typically follow Catholic affairs have shown excitement over Prevost's election, with actress Hanke Hanke posting about her thrill on social media.
