American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected in a shock choice to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The first pontiff from the United States appeared on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica about 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.
It signalled that the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a successor to the late Pope Francis.
“Peace be with you all,” the Pope told the cheering crowd, speaking in fluent Italian.
He also spoke in Spanish during his brief address but did not say anything in English.
His appointment was announced with the Latin words Habemus Papam (We have a Pope) to tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square to hear the news
The 69-year-old 267th pope who is originally from Chicago has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and only became a cardinal only in 2023.
Not a lot is known about Pope Leo who has maintained an extremely low profile.
He’s a member of the Augustinian religious order who rarely speaks in public.
Leo thanked Francis in his speech and repeated his predecessor’s call for a Church that is engaged with the modern world and “is always looking for peace, charity and being close to people, especially those who are suffering”.
Unlike Francis, who spurned many of the trappings of the papacy, he wore a traditional red papal garment over his white cassock.
The last pope to take the name Leo led the Church from 1878-1903 and was known for his devoted focus to social justice issues, and is often credited with laying the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching.
Cardinal Prevost had attracted interest from his peers because of his quiet style and support for Francis, especially his commitment to social justice issues.
He served as a bishop in Chiclayo, in northwestern Peru, from 2015 to 2023.
Pope Francis then brought him to Rome to head the Vatican office in charge of choosing which priests should serve as Catholic bishops across the globe.
During a 2023 Vatican press conference, the now pontiff declared: “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.”
With Australian Associated Press
