Articles in this Cluster
09-05-2025
The Vatican announced the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope, taking the name Leo XIV, making him the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, a 69-year-old Augustinian, was elected after 133 voting cardinals deliberated in the Sistine Chapel for roughly 24 hours. Born in Chicago, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru, where he lived for years as a missionary and later as an archbishop. He succeeded the late Pope Francis, who died at age 88, and delivered his first message to the faithful in Italian and Spanish, calling for building bridges, peace, and dialogue.
09-05-2025
Cardinal David, one of three Filipino cardinals participating in the conclave to choose the next pope, was appointed by Pope Francis despite being a relatively junior bishop. He personifies Pope Francis' legacy in the Philippines, having spent his life campaigning for the poor and marginalized. Cardinal David faced a significant test during former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs in 2016, when he openly criticized the campaign as illegal and immoral, receiving death threats and sedition charges. Pope Francis backed him during this time, offering a special blessing and urging him to stay safe. The Philippines has a significant Catholic population, and the church has a complex history in the country, having played a key role in opposing authoritarian regimes in the past but now facing challenges to its influence.
09-05-2025
Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old born in Chicago to Spanish and Franco-Italian parents, has been elected as the new Pope, taking the name Leo XIV, making him the first American to hold the position. Despite being American by birth, he is considered to have strong ties to Latin America due to his years as a missionary in Peru, where he served as a pastor, teacher, and bishop. Pope Leo XIV has expressed support for his predecessor Francis' views on issues such as migrants, the poor, and the environment. He has also shown backing for Francis' reforms, including allowing women to join the Dicastery for Bishops and permitting blessings for same-sex couples. The new Pope's choice of name, Leo, is associated with social justice and dynamic social issues, following in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII, who wrote about workers' rights. His views on LGBT issues are not entirely clear, but he has indicated support for Francis' declaration on blessings for same-sex couples, while also emphasizing the importance of local contexts and cultures.
09-05-2025
Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old Chicago-born cardinal, was elected as the new pope by the Catholic Church's cardinal electors on May 8, 2025, and chose the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Prevost, who is also a citizen of Peru, was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 and had been head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops. He is considered a centrist with progressive views on social issues, but conservative on some church doctrines. The conclave that elected him lasted less than 24 hours, with white smoke signaling his election on the afternoon of the second day. In his first public remarks, Pope Leo XIV called for peace and said "God loves us all unconditionally" and "evil will not prevail."
09-05-2025
When a new pope is elected, they often choose a new name, which indicates their vision and direction for the Catholic Church. The new pope, Cardinal Robert Prevost, has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV. The name Leo has been chosen 13 times before, and is associated with social justice and standing up to oppressive forces. Pope Leo I, the first to bear the name, met with Attila the Hun and dissuaded him from attacking Rome, and was a theological reformer. Pope Leo XIII, the last to bear the name, wrote the Rerum Novarum, a document addressing workers' rights and capitalism. The choice of name Leo may indicate that Pope Leo XIV will continue Pope Francis' ministry and promote Catholic social teaching. The names most used by popes have been John, Benedict, Gregory, Clement, and Leo. Not all popes change their names, but the practice became more common around the 11th century. Some biblical names, such as Joseph, James, and Andrew, have never been used by a pope, out of respect for certain figures like St. Peter, the first pope.
09-05-2025
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, speaking of peace, building bridges, and helping those who suffer. He thanked his predecessor Pope Francis and seemed to suggest continuity with his themes. The Pope spoke in Italian and Spanish, calling for unity and peace, and urging the Church to be missionary and synodal, walking with those who suffer. He also thanked the cardinals who elected him and paid a special tribute to his former diocese in Peru. The Pope ended his address by praying for peace in the world and asking for the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, on the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii.
09-05-2025
Cardinal Robert Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, has been elected as the new Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time the Catholic Church has had an American pope. Prevost, who is also a citizen of Peru where he worked for many years, was previously the head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops. He has been described as a centrist with progressive views on social issues, but conservative on certain church doctrines. Before becoming a priest, Prevost graduated from Villanova University and later earned a Master's of Divinity and a doctorate in canon law. He was appointed as a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. The new pope has voting records in U.S. elections and has shared posts criticizing the Trump administration on social media. Prevost chose the name Leo, referencing Pope Leo I, known for standing up to oppressive forces and being a theological reformer. His election has been congratulated by various world leaders, including former U.S. Presidents Trump, Biden, and Obama, as well as Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson.
09-05-2025
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the first US-born pope. He's a 69-year-old Augustinian friar from Chicago with extensive experience as a missionary in Peru, where he served as bishop of Chiclayo. Prevost is known for his global perspective, leadership skills, and commitment to the poor. He was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis, indicating Francis' high regard for him. Prevost holds dual US and Peruvian citizenship and is seen as a centrist who will continue Francis' reforms. He chose the name Leo, likely in reference to Pope Leo XIII, known for advocating for workers' rights. Prevost is expected to be a unifying figure, leaning progressive on social issues like migration and poverty.
09-05-2025
The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has sparked a mix of emotions and debate in the US. Born Robert Prevost, the new pope spent decades as a missionary and 20 years in Peru, where he is a naturalized citizen. His election has raised questions about the cardinals' motivations, with some speculating that it may be a rebuke to the Trump administration's policies, particularly on issues like migration and aid to the poor. However, others argue that Prevost's nationality may be incidental to his election, and that the cardinals chose him for his qualifications and commitment to serving the poor. The election has also drawn comparisons between Pope Leo and President Donald Trump, with the two Americans now wielding significant power on the world stage. While some conservatives have expressed dismay at the election, others see Pope Leo as embodying the best of American values, such as peace, justice, and opportunity for all.
09-05-2025
Catholics worldwide are celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, born Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago, Illinois. The College of Cardinals selected him after 24 hours and four ballots. To congratulate the new pope, various Italian phrases can be used, such as "Dio benedica il Papa" (God bless the pope), "Benvenuto, Dio misericordioso" (Welcome, Holy Father), and "Congratulazioni al nuovo Papa" (Congratulations to the new pope). Other phrases include "Le nostre preghiere sono con te" (Our prayers are with you), "Lunga vita al Papa" (Long live the pope), and "La chiesa esulta nella tua guida" (The Church rejoices in your leadership).
09-05-2025
The College of Cardinals has elected a new pope, signaled by white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The conclave met for the first time on Wednesday and concluded their voting on the second day, with Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost being elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. The election followed the traditional process, with the cardinals requiring a two-thirds majority vote to secure the papacy. The new pope, who is 267th in the line of popes, accepted the role and chose his papal name, with the conclave concluding thereafter.
09-05-2025
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, has been elected as the new Pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He was elected on the second day of the papal conclave's deliberations and made his first public appearance at the Vatican. Prevost, 69, was a suspected front-runner to succeed Pope Francis and was previously brought to the Vatican by Francis to serve as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023. He was elevated to Cardinal in September 2023 and is closely aligned with Francis's teachings, particularly on the environment, outreach to the poor and migrants, and opening the Catholic Church to more followers. Prevost has a long history with the Augustinian order, having entered the novitiate in 1977, and has served in various roles in Peru and the United States before being appointed to his current position. He becomes the first American to hold the papacy.
09-05-2025
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old Chicago-born cardinal, has been elected as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV. He was chosen on the second day of a conclave attended by 133 cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV called for a "missionary church" that builds bridges and engages in dialogue, and paid tribute to his predecessor Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. He also greeted his compatriots from Peru, where he had worked as a missionary. The conclave followed the death of Pope Francis on April 21, and the new pope's election was signaled by white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel's chimney.
09-05-2025
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, led his first holy mass in the Sistine Chapel after making a surprise visit to staff at his former residence. The 69-year-old American pope was elected on Thursday after just four rounds of voting in the conclave, which lasted 25 hours. Before the election, his brothers helped him relax by playing online puzzles such as Wordle and Words with Friends. In his first speech as pope, Leo called for a "church that builds bridges" and paid tribute to his predecessor. He also greeted staff at his former residence, saying "may peace be with all of you".
09-05-2025
The Vatican has announced Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American cardinal, as the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Born in Chicago, Prevost spent many years as a missionary in Peru and was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. He was appointed head of the dicastery for bishops, a powerful position responsible for selecting new bishops, and presided over one of Francis's most revolutionary reforms. Prevost is reportedly close to Francis's vision on the environment, outreach to the poor and migrants, and supported allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion. He was elected by the 133 cardinals sequestered in the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave, and in his first address, he called for a church that is engaged with the modern world and "always looking for peace, charity and being close to people, especially those who are suffering".
09-05-2025
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church despite having a major obstacle: being American. Historically, being American was seen as a liability due to its association with the world's dominant superpower. However, in a changing world order and a church that looks beyond nationality, this did not deter the 133 cardinals voting in the Sistine Chapel. Pope Leo XIV has a background as a missionary, pastor, and bishop in Peru and has led the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was also the head of the Order of St. Augustine and had the support of his predecessor, Pope Francis. The new Pope has taken a name that echoes Pope Leo XIII, known for establishing the church's Catholic social justice tradition. In his first address, Pope Leo XIV emphasized being a "missionary church" and spoke about synodality, a concept that implies a more bottom-up approach to decision-making in the church. While his governance style is still unknown, analysts expect him to continue Pope Francis' vision, prioritizing the poor, migrants, and those exploited by great powers.
09-05-2025
Liberal Catholics are cautiously optimistic about Pope Leo XIV's views on LGBTQ issues, despite his limited public record on the matter. Some proponents of LGBTQ inclusion in the church, such as Francis DeBernardo and Rev. James Martin, have expressed hope that the new pope will continue the pastoral approach of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Although Pope Leo has made some critical comments about LGBTQ issues in the past, his supporters believe that his views may have evolved over time, particularly given his experience working in Rome and his reported closeness to Cardinal Blase Cupich, a progressive cardinal. Some experts, including Catholic theologian Brian Flanagan, predict that Pope Leo will not reverse the church's progress on LGBTQ issues and may continue to promote synodality, a governing approach that includes input from laypeople.
09-05-2025
The new Pope, Leo XIV, faces numerous challenges, including addressing the ongoing fight against sexual abuse, promoting the position of women in the church, and restoring the Vatican's finances. Despite progress under Pope Francis, abuse victims feel reforms did not go far enough, and the new Pope will be under pressure to take strong action. The role of women in the church is also a pressing concern, with many frustrated about being treated as second-class citizens. Additionally, the Pope must navigate issues of inclusion, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ individuals, and balance the needs of disparate groups within the Catholic faith. The Vatican is also facing a financial crisis, with a tripled budget deficit and a pension fund shortfall of up to €2bn. The new Pope is expected to continue Pope Francis's efforts to expand representation from the global south, where Catholicism is growing rapidly.
