(DEVELOPING STORY:) THE whole Christendom rejoices Thursday afternoon, May 8, as white smoke ascends from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, that signals the election of a new Pope.
Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, 69 years old of North America was elected the 267th Pope and chose the name Pope Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago, Prevost spent the early part of his career there working for the Augustinians. He served in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998 as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator. He was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a prominent role that elevated his profile as a potential papal candidate. Since POpe Francis’ death, the then Cardinal Prevost had been called papabile, a leading candidate for election as pope during the 2025 papal conclave.Prior to this, the world awaits the appearance of the Cardinal electors on the Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica, and the announcement of the 267th Pope.
The election of the new pope happened on the third ballot, on the second day of the Conclave, at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel.
Hundreds of thousands faithful started to flock the St. Peter’s Square as the white smoke emits from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and are now waiting for the new pope to emerge at the balcony of the St. Peter’s Basilica.
Also, the Vatican Band and the Swiss Guards have already positioned at the patio of St. peter’s Basilica to welcome the new pope.
Whoever he is, the new Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the Supreme Pontiff, the Vica rof Christ will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. |
