…As First American Pontiff
By CHRISTY ABOGHE/CHIKA KWAMBA
AMERICAN Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen as new Pope, with the papal name as Pope Leo XIV, by Catholic cardinals
The cardinal electors of the Catholic Church elected an American from among their own ranks, today, to serve as the new pope. Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected and accepted his fate as the next Bishop of Rome, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Prevost chose Leo XIV as his papal name.
The new pontiff’s identity was revealed about an hour after white smoke emerged from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signaling that a new pope has been chosen with a decisive vote by the cardinal electors gathered for the papal conclave. After about an hour, the declaration was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Habemuspapam.”
After two days of voting, white smoke billowing from the Sistine chapel chimney indicates a new leader of the Catholic Church has been elected.
Recall during the papal conclave, the cardinals were barred from leaving or having any contact with the outside world as they selected the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in stunned applause again as it was announced that the Catholic Church, for the first time in its history, had chosen an American as its leader.
Overall, Prevost is considered a centrist, but on many social issues, he is seen as progressive, embracing marginalized groups like Francis, who championed migrants and the poor. Prevost opposes ordaining women as deacons, for instance, so he is seen as conservative on church doctrine.
The conclave to choose a successor to Pope Francis began afternoon, local time. The 133 cardinal electors taking part in the process prayed together and took a vow of secrecy before the doors closed and the first round of votes were cast. As night fell, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, indicating they had not yet agreed on a choice.
The cardinals, yesterday morning, resumed the process for Day 2 and, yet again, before lunchtime in Rome, black smoke signaled no decisive outcome from the morning’s round of two votes.
The newly elected, Chicago-born pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, later appeared on the front balcony to deliver his first speech.
Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, 69-year-old says: “Peace be with all of you.
“Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”
You can definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart. “Every man serves a useful purpose A miser, for example, makes a wonderful ancestor.” by Laurence J. Peter.