69-year-old Roman Catholic Pontiff, Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV has affirmed that Jesus Christ is the bridge which links humanity to God. Shortly after being announced as new Pope in replacement of the deceased Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV took his position at the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, to address hundreds of thousands, in the evening of Thursday, May 8.
In his opening, he used the first words of the ressurected Christ: “Peace be with you.”
The Pontiff said, “God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail”, he said.
In the speech delivered in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV said, “We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, United, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.”
The new Pope maintained that, “We are all disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.”
While celebrating his predecessor, Pope Francis, the Pontiff thanked Cardinals for the choice made. “Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.”
The hitherto Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is an American Catholic prelate who before his election served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was appointed to these roles by Pope Francis in 2023.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the Pontiff holds American and Peruvian citizenships. He is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), where he served as the Prior General of the order for two terms, from 2001 to 2013.
After being ordained priest in 1982, he served as missionary and in various roles in Peru, including as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. He was elavated by Pope Francis to the rank of Cardinal in September 2023. He was initially a Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica and was appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Albano in February 2025.
Pope Leo XIV is said to have experience working with marginalised communities.
Upon his election, he had a first meeting with Cardinals on Friday, and his first Pontifical mass on Sunday, May 11.
Names of popes who adopted the name Leo and their contributions to the church:
Popes Named Leo:
– 1. Leo I (440-461): Known for his strong leadership and theological writings.
– 2. Leo II (682-683): Played a key role in the Sixth Ecumenical Council.
– 3. Leo III (795-816): Crowned Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans.
– 4. Leo IV (847-855): Fortified Rome against Muslim attacks.
– 5. Leo V (903-904): Briefly served as pope before being overthrown.
– 6. Leo VI (928-929): Had a short papacy marked by controversy.
– 7. Leo VII (936-939): Supported monastic reforms.
– 8. Leo VIII (963-965): Served as antipope before being recognized as legitimate pope.
– 9. Leo IX (1049-1054): Implemented significant church reforms.
– 10. Leo X (1513-1521): A member of the Medici family, known for his patronage of arts.
– 11. Leo XI (1605): Had a brief papacy lasting only 27 days.
– 12. Leo XII (1823-1829): Focused on education and internal church reforms.
– 13. Leo XIII (1878-1903): Issued the influential encyclical Rerum Novarum.
– 14. Leo XIV: The current pope, formerly US Cardinal Robert Prevost, elected in 2025.