- Thursday, May 08, 2025
Originally from Chicago, Prevost (69) has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru, and in 2023 Francis brought him to Rome
By: India Weekly
CARDINAL Robert Francis Prevost was elected 267th pope to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on Thursday (8), taking the name Leo XIV and becoming the first US pontiff.
Pope Leo, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after white smoke had billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signifying that the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the Catholic Church.
Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter’s Square cheered, as Prevost waved at them with both hands, smiling and bowing.
“Peace be with you,” he told the crowds in fluent Italian.
He also spoke in Spanish during his brief address, but did not say anything in English.
The new pontiff, who succeeds Argentine reformer Pope Francis, was introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name.
Pope Francis died last month aged 88 after a 12-year papacy during which he sought to forge a more compassionate Church – but drew anger from many conservatives with his progressive approach.
Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Prevost has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023.
He has given a few media interviews and rarely speaks in public.
The new pope now faces a momentous task: as well as asserting his moral voice on a conflict-torn global stage, he must try to unite a divided Church and tackle burning issues such as the the continued fall-out from the sexual abuse scandal.
Prevost has attracted interest from his peers because of his quiet style and support for Francis, especially his commitment to social justice issues.
Prevost served as a bishop in Chiclayo, in northwestern Peru, from 2015 to 2023.
Francis brought him to Rome that year to head the Vatican office in charge of choosing which priests should serve as Catholic bishops across the globe, meaning he has had a hand in selecting many of the world’s bishops.
Prevost said during a 2023 Vatican press conference: “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.”
Some 133 “Princes of the Church” from five continents – the largest and most international conclave ever – began voting on Wednesday afternoon.
Sworn to secrecy, on pain of excommunication, their only means of communicating their progress to the outside world was by sending up smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
On Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday lunchtime, the smoke was black, eliciting disappointed sighs from the tens of thousands watching.
But on Thursday afternoon just after 6:00 pm the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader. (Agencies)
