Cardinal Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, has been elected the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Source: CNS.
The 69-year-old is the first North American to be elected pope and, before the conclave, was the US cardinal most mentioned as a potential successor of St. Peter.
The white smoke poured from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at 6.07pm Rome time (2.07am AEST) and a few minutes later the bells of St Peter’s Basilica began to ring.
French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7.12pm (3.12am AEST).
“I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope, Habemus papam,” Cardinal Mamberti told the crowd, saying the cardinal’s name in Latin and announcing the name by which he will be called.
Ten minutes later, the new Pope Leo came out onto the balcony, smiling and waving to the crowd wearing the white papal cassock, a red mozzetta or cape and a red stole to give his first public blessing, urbi et orbi (to the city and the world).
The crowd shouted repeatedly, “Viva il papa” or “Long live the pope” as Pope Leo’s eyes appeared to tear up.
“Peace be with you,” were Pope Leo’s first words to the crowd.
“My dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for God’s flock,” he said, praying that Christ’s peace would enter people’s hearts, their families and “the whole earth.”
The peace of the risen Lord, he said, is “a peace that is unarmed and disarming.”
Signalling strong continuity with the papacy of Pope Francis, Pope Leo told the crowd that God “loves all of us unconditionally” and that the Church must be open to everyone.
“We are all in God’s hands,” he said, so “without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other, let us go forward.”
He thanked the cardinals who elected him, apparently on the fourth ballot of the conclave, “to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united Church always seeking peace, justice” and together being missionary disciples of Christ.
Telling the crowd that he was an Augustinian, he quoted St Augustine, who said, “With you I am a Christian and for you, a bishop.”
“Together we must try to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges and always dialogues, that is always open to receiving everyone like this square with its arms open to everyone, everyone in need,” he said.
After asking the crowd to recite the Hail Mary with him, Pope Leo gave his first solemn blessing.
FULL STORY
Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV (CNS)
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