The Cardinals gathered within the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost because the 267th Pope, who took the title Pope Leo XIV,” Vatican Information introduced on X (previously Twitter) on Thursday, marking a brand new chapter within the management of the worldwide Catholic Church.
The election of Cardinal Prevost adopted days of intense deliberation among the many School of Cardinals after the resignation of Pope Francis on account of declining well being.
Prevost, an American-born prelate who beforehand served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, turns into the primary U.S.-born Pope in historical past — a improvement that indicators each continuity and alter inside the historical establishment.
The white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel at 6:47 p.m. Vatican time, triggering celebrations in St. Peter’s Sq. the place hundreds of devoted and vacationers had gathered in anticipation. Shortly afterwards, the Vatican’s senior Cardinal Deacon appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to make the historic announcement: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (I announce to you an important pleasure: Now we have a Pope!)
Who’s Pope Leo XIV?
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and ordained as a priest in 1982.
He’s a member of the Order of St. Augustine and has held quite a few management roles within the Catholic Church, together with bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and head of the Augustinian order globally.
Identified for his dedication to reform, pastoral care, and episcopal accountability, Pope Leo XIV brings a wealth of worldwide expertise to the papacy.
His election comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces a number of inner and exterior challenges, together with declining attendance within the West, clergy abuse scandals, and the necessity for larger inclusivity and transparency.
Analysts see his management as a possible bridge between traditionalist and progressive factions inside the Church.
International Reactions
World leaders and spiritual figures swiftly reacted to the information. U.S. President Donald Trump prolonged congratulations to the brand new pontiff.
Trump wrote. “It’s such an honor to comprehend that he’s the primary American Pope. What pleasure, and what a Nice Honor for our Nation. I stay up for assembly Pope Leo XIV. It will likely be a really significant second!”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez additionally supplied a public message of assist, expressing his hope that Pope Leo XIV will contribute to selling peace and human dignity throughout the globe.
“Might the pontiff assist strengthen dialogue and defend human rights in a world in want of hope and unity,” Sánchez wrote in a publish on the platform X (previously Twitter), simply minutes after the official announcement from the Vatican.
Market Implications?
- Whereas the Catholic Church’s management transition could appear distant from monetary markets, some analysts word that the papal election can have oblique financial implications.
- The Vatican is a significant landowner and investor, and Pope Leo XIV’s potential concentrate on moral investing, environmental stewardship, and international improvement support might form new norms in international philanthropy and monetary ethics.
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