This past Thursday yielded an unprecedented event in the annals of the Catholic Church, which witnessed the first-ever American Pope being selected. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, hailing from the United States of America, was elevated miraculously to the holy seat of the papacy. On day two of the papal enclave in the eternal city of Rome, the deciding vote of 133 Cardinals from around the world sealed his ascension.
Assuming papal duties, Cardinal Prevost chose to be known henceforth as Pope Leo XIV. His inauguration sparked joyous reactions from the multitudes of believers and spectators gathered at St Peter’s Square. A wave of emotion swept across the crowd as the Pope blessed them from atop the cardinal-red sanctuary on St. Peter’s Square’s central balcony.
Seeking to encapsulate unity with his first words as the Vatican head, Pope Leo infused his audience with peace in fluent Italian, saying: ‘Peace be with you.’ His inaugural speech was further characterized by his familiar words of comfort and peace reached out to the audience in Spanish – another testament to his multi-linguistic skills, with the surprising exclusion of English.
Pope Leo XIV becomes the 267th successor to claim the St. Peter’s throne, succeeding Pope Francis. The 69-year-old Pope, a native of Chicago, has dedicated most of his lifetime volunteering as a missionary in Peru, hence holds dual citizenship of both the USA and Peru. His cardinalship was established only recently, in 2023.
In his inaugural message, Pope Leo acknowledged his predecessor Pope Francis for his unwavering dedication and inspirational leadership. Mirroring the sentiments of Pope Francis, Leo stressed the importance of a Church fully connected with the current times, continually striving for peace, expressing charity, and reaching out to those most in need, especially individuals bearing the burdens of suffering.
Interestingly, Pope Leo XIV was not initially among the cardinal-chief contenders marked to succeed the late Pope Francis, whose demise occurred on April 21st. Nevertheless, a testament to his humble servitude and esteem among his peers led to his surprising rise to the leadership of the Catholic Church.
St. Peter’s Basilica was infused with overwhelming excitement and anticipation on May 8th when white smoke wafted from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. This age-old signal signified that a decision had been made by the 133 cardinal electors. A new shepherd had been chosen for the impressive flock of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
Casting light upon Pope Leo XIV’s lineage, the Vatican released notes indicating that his father, Louis Marius Prevost, hails from a mixed heritage of French and Italian origins. His mother, Mildred Martínez, in contrast, comes from a lineage of Spanish descent. Pope Leo XIV, besides his parents, is also intimately related to his two brothers named Louis Martín Prevost and John Joseph Prevost.
Robert Prevost, before his Cardinals appointment and subsequent rise to the papacy, pursued rigorous theological studies. His academic journey began in his hometown at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. His pursuit of understanding the ethos of religious teachings led him to Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Ultimately, he topped off his academic journey by obtaining a doctorate in canon law from the esteemed Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.