For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, the cardinals have appointed an American to be the New Pope.
Robert Francis Prevost69 years old, received votes of at least 89 of the 133 cardinals in the conclave, a majority of two thirds, to become the new pontiff.
Prevost chose Pope Leo XIV as his papal name.
In his first words as a pope, he said to the gathered crowd: “Peace be with you.”
From the loggia of the Saint-Pierre basilica, the first American pope in history recalled that he was an Augustinian priest, but that he was above all a Christian and a bishop, “we can therefore all walk together.”
He spoke in Italian and then went to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary, then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
The name of the new pope was announced by the best cardinal, who pronounced the words “Habemus Papam!” – Latin for “We have a pope!” -From the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica, revealing the name of PREVOST in Latin as well as its name chosen to the cheers of the crowd gathered on Saint-Pierre square.
The announcement occurred after White Smoke fell from the Sistine Chapel fireplace on Thursday shortly after 6:07 p.m. Local time or 12:07 pm, meaning the election of a new Pope.
The decision has come a little more than two weeks since the death of Pope Francis on April 21, following a 12 -year papacy.
Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955 to a Spanish mother and an Italian-French father who served during the Second World War.
He joined the Order of Saint-Augustin in September 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. He then joined an Augustinian mission in Peru 1985.
The deceased Pope, Francis, had appointed Leo XIV in 2023 to serve as a head of the office who takes in view of the nominations of bishops around the world, one of the most important jobs of the Catholic Church.
The cardinals were kidnapped and linked to the secret during a conclave, where they stole at least four votes during two days for the man they wanted to become a pope.
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The man chosen should have obtained votes of at least 89 of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave, a majority of two thirds, in order to play the role.
Until the white smoke on Thursday afternoon, only black smoke had elected Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, both to signify that no pope had been elected.
The reaction began to quickly pour Pope Leo XIV who took the head of the Catholic Church.
“I join Catholics in Canada and in the world by congratulating Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost for his election as a Pope,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement.
“The Canadians offer the best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as he starts his papacy. At a time of deep global challenges, that his pontificate is marked by wisdom, discernment, an in -depth commitment to the common good and the dignity of all. Canada is looking forward to working with its holiness to build a world guided by solidarity, justice and sustainability. ”
US President Donald Trump spoke briefly in front of the Oval Elections Office, saying that it was “such an honor for our country”.
“We are a little surprised, but very happy, just an absolutely brilliant honor,” said Trump. “To have the Pope of the United States of America, it is a great honor … I look at and they said that he came from America, I said:” It’s great. “”
Trump also seemed to say that the Vatican had been in communication on the establishment of a meeting between him and Leo XIV, saying that they “would see what is happening”.
The mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, also congratulated Leo XIV, saying that they hoped to welcome him soon at home.
“Everything Dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago,” he wrote in an article on X. “Congratulations to the first American pope Leo XIV!”
Vatican observers said prevost’s decision to be named Leo was particularly important given the previous heritage of social justice and Leo reform, suggesting the continuity of some of Francis’ main concerns.
“I think this pope says something about social justice by choosing this name, that it will be a priority. He continues a lot of Francis ministry, “said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, president of religious studies at the University of Manhattan in the Bronx.
The new pope was previously the previous general, or chief, of the Order of Saint -Augustin, who was formed in the 13th century as a community of “beggars” brothers – dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization. There were six previous Augustinian popes.
The requirements and the philosophy of the order are attributed to the Saint-Augustine of the 5th century of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of the beginning of Christianity.
The Order of Saint-Augustin is present in around fifty countries, according to its website. His philosophy includes contemplative spirituality, community life and service to others. A fundamental value in their reign is to “live together in harmony, to be of one spirit and a heart on the path of God”.
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