The world was surprised and filled with joy when the Chicago born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church today. He is fluent in eight languages and was a missionary for many years in Peru.
The last Pope Leo was Leo XIII who wrote an open letter in 1891 called “Rerum Novarum” (On Capital and Labor), the first encyclical of Catholic social teaching.
History’s first American pope mentioned the fact that he is an Augustinian priest but that he is above all a Christian and a bishop, “so we can all walk together”.
Pope Leo’s first message to us was in Italian and Spanish, “Peace be with all you”. He added:
God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light.
As a Canadian, I agree with Prime Minister Carney,
At a time of profound global challenges, may his pontificate be marked by wisdom, discernment, a deep commitment to common good, and dignity of all.
Let us pray that Pope Leo XIV is the pope the Catholic Church needs in these tumultuous times.
For more information on Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s background, Catholic Stand suggests the following links:
https://cruxnow.com/papal-transition/2025/05/papabile-of-the-day-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost
2 thoughts on “Our First North American Pope!”
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I wish him all the best and many blessings from South Carolina. I hope Pope Leo finds it in his heart to increase the availability of the TLM for those who reverence it.
I have already forgotten the name of Pope Leo’s predecessor. Hmmm, I wonder why?