HABEMUS PAPAM!
As we all know well, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Martinez was elected Pope on May 8, 2025 in the fourth scrutiny of the Conclave of Cardinals meeting at the Sistine Chapel (the Vatican). He chose as his name Leo XIV (right after Leo XIII, the pope that initiated powerfully and creatively the social doctrine of the Church). When Cardinal Prevost Martinez (with Spanish and French/Italian roots) was elected the 267 Successor of St. Peter, he was the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and the Head of the Commission for Latin America.
Pope Leo XIV is an American (from Chicago), and also a citizen of Peru, where he ministered for decades: first as Augustinian missionary and later as Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo. The new Vicar of Christ then is an Augustinian. (The Dominicans - and other religious men and women - remember that their fundamental Rule is the Rule of Saint Augustine). The new pope has a Licentiate in Mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania (this will be good for the important dialogue between faith and science). He also earned a doctorate in Canon Law from the University of St. Thomas (the Angelicum, Rome).
HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV, MOST WELCOME!
Up to May 10, 2025, Pope Leo XIV has repeated in his two oral interventions that the Church is missionary: Our Christian faith is beautiful and joyful. The urgent mission of the Church: the mission of announcing Jesus and his Gospel to all by “witnessing and proclaiming the Gospel” faithfully, hopefully, compassionately and joyfully. The current Successor of St. Peter has already reminded us of the priority of Pope Francis: compassion for all, particularly for the marginalized. Christ the Risen Lod is the center of mission and evangelization. Thus, Christ is “the bridge” of God’s love for us. Peace is “the peace of the Risen Christ.” Unity is rooted in Christ, our light: “In the one Christ, we are one.” (His episcopal motto: “In illo uno unum”). We all are missionaries of Christ: “men and women faithful to Jesus.” The Church is open to all, and is a synodal Church, too.
Those are just a few thoughts and concerns of Pope Leo XIV at the very beginning of his pontificate. As we walk along, he will unveil his program and priority concerns and commitments. He will journey partly by the path of his predecessor Pope Francis, but surely, he will imprint his unique style: his wonderful Augustinian roots, his life as a passionate missionary, and his wide experiences as shepherd of the local and universal Church, and as outstanding member of the Roman Curia.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us a new Vicar of Christ on earth. Thank you, Pope Leo XIV, for accepting the heavy cross of the papacy. We are all, contributing already our little help: our constant prayer and love for our beloved Pope, the 267 Successor of St. Peter.
MAY GOD BE PRAISED, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA.
