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A new pope has been selected.
During the initial ballot of the afternoon session on the second day of the conclave around 6 pm, white smoke emerged from the Vatican chimney amid loud cheers, indicating that a majority of the cardinals had come to an agreement.
About an hour later, the newly appointed pope was introduced globally: Cardinal Robert Prevost, who decided to adopt the pontifical name Leo XIV.
"May peace be upon you all," he greeted over 100,000 devoted followers assembled in St Peter's Square.
“I trust these peaceful greetings find their way into your hearts, touch your families, and reach each individual, no matter where they may be,” he stated.
He similarly honored his predecessor, remembering "the soft but perpetually brave voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome," and conveyed his gratitude to him.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.
Pope Leo XIV also profoundly contemplated his spiritual heritage and pastoral outlook: "I am a son of Saint Augustine, belonging to the Augustinian order."
Being with you makes me feel like a Christian, and for you, I embrace being seen as a bishop. With this mindset, we can journey collectively towards the home that God has destined for us.
What information do we have regarding Pope Leo XIV?
In 2023, Pope Francis invited Robert Prevost to the Vatican to take on the crucial role of heading the office responsible for reviewing appointments of bishops globally, which is among the most significant positions within the Catholic Church.
Consequently, he entered the conclave with a level of recognition that was uncommon among the other cardinals.
Before the conclave began, he faced an obstacle due to the longstanding prohibition against selecting a Pope from the United States. This hesitance stemmed from the significant influence America already held in global politics outside of the religious domain.
However,Prevost, who is 69 years old and originally from Chicago, has dual citizenship with Peru due to his long residence there. He initially lived in Peru as a missionary before becoming an archbishop.
Prevost was elected as the general, essentially the highest leader, of the Augustinian order—founded by Saint Augustine in the 13th century—on two separate occasions.
Clearly, Pope Francis had been keeping an eye on him for quite some time, relocating him from his role in Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to take up duties as the administrator and subsequently as the Archbishop of Chiclayo.
He stayed in that role until 2023 when Pope Francis called upon him to move to Rome and take up the position as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, after he had obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015.
In his role, he would have maintained frequent communication with the Catholic leadership in the region where the majority of Catholics can be found globally.
Ever since he arrived in Rome, Prevost has kept a low public profile, but he is well known to the men who count.
Notably, he oversaw one of Pope Francis’s most groundbreaking changes by including three women in the group that votes on which bishop nominees should be presented to the pope.
What is his stance on major issues?
Prevost is the initial American-born clergy member to assume the role of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Prior to the conclave, he wasn't seen as a leading candidate for election as pope.
Prevost is recognized for his mild and shepherd-like method, as well as for endorsing numerous views supported by his predecessor, Pope Francis; however, some distinctions do exist.
Before being elected pope, Prevost did not have an extensively documented history of discussing LGBTQ+ matters. Nevertheless, according to The New York Times in 2012, he was opposed to media outlets showing "compassion toward ideas and behaviors contrary to the Gospel,” which included what he referred to as “the homosexual way of life.”
These comments stand in opposition to those of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who adopted a more welcoming approach towards the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2023, the deceased pope condemned laws penalising homosexuality as "unfair," asserting that God embraces everyone exactly as they are. He urged Catholic bishops backing such laws to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals within their congregation.
"Homosexuality is not illegal," he stated during an interview.
His position on the climate crisis aligns more closely with Pope Francis’, as Pope Leo XIV has often voiced concerns over environmental challenges and stressed the significance of taking actions to tackle global issues.
He recently stated that the church ought to progress from mere words to concrete actions, and he cautioned about the "detrimental" outcomes of unregulated technological advancement.
Although Pope Leo XIV is seen as a moderate with forward-thinking views on certain matters, he maintains traditionalist stances when it comes to religious doctrines.
He is against the ordination of women as deacons and has repeatedly voiced his opposition to abortion, describing it as "murder".
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