The historical emergence of Pope Leo XIV

Thursday 8 May 2025, Christians and other supporters from all over the world, in particular the Catholic population of about 2 billion, were thrown into wild jubilation while Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged as Pope Leo XIV.

A few minutes after the white smoke floated from the fireplace above the chapel of Sistine, the protodea of ​​Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced the crowd waiting: “I announce a great joy: we have a pope”.

Emerging from the balcony of the Basilica of St. Peter, the first words of the 267th bishop of Rome to the crowds waiting in the Vatican were: “Peace is with all of you”. After invoking peace, he committed himself to working for a united church faithful to Jesus and the Gospel.

He said: “Peace be with you! Songs and sisters more expensive, this was the first greeting of Christ the Risorta, the good shepherd who gave life for the flock of God. I would also like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they find themselves; and all people and all the earth: peace is with you.”

Before his election as Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was prefect of the dicastery for the bishops. The 69 -year -old Prevost is the first American Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. It happens to Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025 (Easter Monday).

The Pope, who is from the religious order of Sant’Agostino, was ordained priest on June 19, 1982, by Archbishop Jean Jadot, at the Augustinese College of Saint Monica. The new Pope, born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, in Illinois, in the United States, spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.

On September 26, 2015, he was appointed bishop of Chicago by Pope Francis. In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Clergy and in 2020, a member of the Congregation for Bishops.

On January 30, 2023, the Pope called him to Rome as a prefect of the Dicastery for the bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, promoting him to the rank of Archbishop. Pope Francis created him Cardinal in the Contestory of 30 September of that year and assigned him the diaconate of Saint Monica.

The future Pontiff received his theological education at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. At the age of 27, he was sent by his superiors to Rome to study canonical law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

Prevost obtained his license in 1984 and the following year, while preparing his doctoral thesis, he was sent to the Augustinian mission to Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (1985-1986). In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis on “The role of the previous one in the order of Saint Augustine” and was appointed director of the vocation and director of the missions of the Augustinian province of “Mother of the good consultant” in Olympia Fields, Illinois (USA).

His episcopal motto is “in Illo Unum Unum” – words spoken by San Augustine in a sermon on the psalm 127 to explain that “although we Christians are many, in a single Christ that we are one”.

The congratulations of the world leaders greeted the emergence of Pope Leo XIV. The President of the United States Donald Trump called the appointment a “great honor” for the country and said that he could not wait to meet Pope Leo, describing him as a “very significant moment”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that the election of Pope Leo XIV opens a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and the values ​​of love, humanity and charity, in particular for the disadvantaged, which has constantly projected.

The Nigerian president prayed that the omnipotent God continually emit his light of glory on the new leader of the Catholic Church and gives him good health and wisdom in order to reach the world with the message of peace and love.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed the hope that the new Pope would become a strong supporter of migrants, in particular Latin American communities that face adversity in the United States.

Petro observed: “I hope it becomes a great leader for migrant populations all over the world and I hope it encourages our Latin American migrant brothers and sisters, humiliated today in the United States. It is time for them to organize”.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the opportunity to deepen the relationships between Israel and the Vatican, expressing the desire for strengthened interreligious bonds.

Herzog said: “We can’t wait to improve the relationship between Israel and the Holy See and strengthen the friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and all over the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin noticed the Christian values ​​shared between Russia and the Vatican, affirming a continuous dialogue and cooperation.

“I am confident that the constructive dialogue and cooperation established between Russia and Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values ​​that unite us,” said Putin.

“Through your role, provide hope and guidance to millions of believers all over the world in these difficult times,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed hope that the pontificate would strengthen dialogue and human rights.

Polish President Andrzej Duda reiterated the promptness of Poland to be based on his historical ties with the Vatican and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wanted Pope Leo XIV a mandate marked by peace and wisdom.

The project is combined with the congratulation with Pope Leo XIV. We are particularly excited that the new Pope, who will be inaugurated on May 18, 2025, has promised to follow the acclaimed steps of his predecessor.

He demonstrated this philosophy by renewing his requests for peace. The Pope used his first public public with Vatican journalists to implore the media to continue shedding light on conflicts all over the world. It is also expected that, being an American, its papacy will be to build bridges and understanding between all faiths and peoples. “

We wish Pope Leo XIV a successful pontificate in the Lord’s Vineyard.