Habemus Papam! Pope Leo XIV
The College of Cardinals has elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th Pope!
He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV in succession to Pope Leo XIII who was known for his social teaching and keen interest in social issues.
Pope Leo XIV greeted Rome and the world from Saint Peter’s balcony this early evening, on 8th May 2025, in both Italian and Spanish. Smiling warmly at the huge crowds in St Peter’s Square he wished everyone the peace of Christ and encouraged the Church to build bridges between people and to work for dialogue and peace. This reminded the crowd of themes that Pope Francis often spoke of, and his words were greeted with warm applause
Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham, issued the following statement:
“I am overjoyed to hear of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope but a missionary religious, an Augustinian, who has spent many years ministering in Peru. I wish to assure the new Pope of my prayers and good wishes, and that of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Nottingham, as he begins his ministry as the successor of Saint Peter. His wide experience will be a huge blessing to the Catholic Church and to the wider world. May God bless and guide him.
Pope Leo XIV: 'Peace be with all of you'
Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful and the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel.
Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica:
Pope Leo XIV: Greetings to Rome and to the world
Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome - the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.
Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are 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.
Thank you Pope Francis!
Pope Francis with Robert Francis, Cardinal Prevost, now Leo XIV (Vatican Media)
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.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop." So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:
We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.
[In Spanish]:
Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.
[Returning to Italian]:
To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei.
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
Hail Mary... [accompanied by the crowds in St Peter's Square and around the world.]
