CARDINAL Robert Prevost from the US has been elected as Pope – right here’s every thing you must know.
The announcement of the brand new pope was made as clouds of white smoke or fumata bianca emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, as a bell rang.
Who’s the brand new pope Robert Prevost?
Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955 to immigrant dad and mom of French, Italian and Spanish descent.
After incomes a level in arithmetic from Villanova College in Pennsylvania, the long run pope entered the Order of St Augustine, committing to his vows in 1978.
Ordained as a priest 4 years in the past, he joined a mission in Peru the place he spent a few years heading up a seminary.
Returning to the US in 1999, he then met controversy when he allowed alleged little one abuser Father James Ray to reside at a friary in Chicago.
White smoke erupted from the Vatican at round 5pm as a sign that the brand new pontiff had been chosen.
The Pope greeted the world for the primary time on the balcony within the iconic St Peter’s Basilica overlooking St Peter’s Sq..
The newly elected pontiff appeared in papal robes – full with a white silk sash and skullcap and pink leather-based footwear.
Crowds of trustworthy Catholics erupted with pleasure and have been seen cheering as they patiently waited to search out out who the brand new Pope could be.
It comes after black smoke billowed from the chimney this morning, which means no new pontiff had been chosen.
The brand new pontiff was chosen in an historic ritual that has remained unchanged for 1,000 years.
Robert Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV – the primary from North American
The historic occasion noticed 133 cardinals participate in a number of rounds of voting starting on Wednesday, till a transparent winner was determined.
What identify will he take?
The primary-ever American Pope, aged 69, has taken the identify Pope Leo XIV.
In his first phrases, he mentioned “Peace be with you.”
The newly appointed Pope expressed, “We should collectively work in direction of turning into a church that constructs bridges, fosters dialogue, and welcomes everybody,” he says.
Shortly afterwards the pontiff was heard talking in Spanish, saying: “I might significantly prefer to say good day to my compatriots from Peru.
“It was a terrific pleasure for me to work in Peru.”
The primary act of a brand new pope is to decide on a brand new identify.
That is to symbolize that his new position is the same as re-birth, the Vatican mentioned.
The custom was established by the primary pope, St. Peter, whose actual identify was Simon.
Out of 267 popes all through historical past, 129 have chosen new names, based on the Vatican.
Popes will generally select the identify of a current predecessor out of respect.
It may be executed to indicate the a want to proceed of their footsteps.
Others go the opposite means and take a look at to decide on a reputation that isn’t linked to any current predecessors.
That is executed to symbolise their want for change.
Pope Francis was the primary pope in historical past to take the identify of St. Francis of Assisi.
What are his views?
General, the brand new pope is taken into account a centrist.
Nevertheless, on many social points he has been hailed as progressive.
He has been seen to advocated for marginalized teams because the late Pope Francis dod.
However Pope Leo XIV has opposed ordaining ladies as deacons, which has made him seen as conservative on church doctrine.
Earlier pope
The conclave was initiated after the dying of Pope Francis at 88 on the morning of Easter Monday, following a battle with pneumonia.
Pope Francis ascended to the papacy in 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down on account of well being considerations, making a remarkably uncommon resolution.
Pope Francis made historical past when he turned the primary chief of the Catholic Church from the Americas.
The then 76-year-old Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was given his new identify after he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI on March 13, 2013.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrants.
The Argentine had labored as a bouncer earlier than turning to the priesthood after recovering from pneumonia again in 1958.
Francis was ordained a priest on 13 December 1969 and educated in Spain for a yr earlier than transferring again to Argentina.
Francis took over the position of Pope in 2014, and was seen as an outspoken moderniser, reformist and progressive.
He had championed the decriminalisation of homosexuality, warned in opposition to threats to democracy, and supported the reason for refugees.
When he turned the Pope, he shunned a grand papal condo and selected to reside in a modest two-room residence.
