Vatican City: Leaders of nations and religious communities worldwide have extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, marking a historic moment as Robert Prevost becomes the first North American to lead the Catholic Church.
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is widely regarded as a reform-minded figure. He spent many years serving as a missionary in Peru, where his pastoral work earned him widespread respect. Prevost was later appointed archbishop in the South American country before his elevation to the papacy.
The election of an American pope has drawn significant attention, with US President Donald Trump calling it a ‘great honour’ and a moment of pride for the nation.
Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
"Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd, who gave… pic.twitter.com/AqJcOpK5Ge
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
Pope Leo XIV will begin his papal duties by celebrating Mass on May 9, Friday, in the Sistine Chapel alongside the College of Cardinals who selected him.
According to the Vatican, Pope Leo will continue his public liturgical duties by leading the Regina Coeli prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, May 11. The following day, the Pontiff is scheduled to meet with members of the media for the first time.
The name Leo?
Upon his election, a pope sets aside his birth name in favor of a new papal name. The newly chosen Pope Robert Prevost has taken the name ‘Leo,’ becoming the 14th pontiff to do so, and the first in over a century.
The name Leo carries deep historical and symbolic weight in the Catholic tradition. The first to bear the name, Pope Leo the Great, was a fifth-century pope renowned for persuading Attila the Hun not to attack Rome and for his theological contributions that helped define early Christian doctrine.
The most recent, Pope Leo XIII, served from 1878 to 1903 and is credited with writing Rerum Novarum, the landmark document that laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching, emphasizing the dignity of labour and workers’ rights.
The election of Pope Leo XIV comes at a time of global challenges and evolving priorities for the Catholic Church, and his background, name, and early statements have already begun shaping expectations for his papacy among the over one billion Catholics around the world.
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