Catholic cardinals broke with tradition when they elected the first US pope, making Chicago-born missionary Robert Prevost the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church in a moment of global turmoil and conflict.
Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order who spent his career ministering in Peru, took the name Leo XIV.
Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV.Credit: AP
In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasised a message of “a disarmed and disarming peace” dialogue and missionary evangelisation.
He wore the traditional red cape and trappings of the papacy – a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013 – suggesting a return to some degree of tradition after Francis’ unorthodox pontificate.
But in naming himself Leo, the new pope could also have wanted to signal a strong line of continuity: Brother Leo was the 13th century friar who was a great companion to St. Francis of Assisi, the late pope’s namesake.
Read more about the life of the newly elected pope here.
AP
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