Habemas Papam: Robert Prevost-First American Pope-Pope Leo XIV

White smoke rising.  More details as I have them.

Update:

The Conclave picked an American, Cardinal Robert Prevost.  He was made a cardinal in 2023.  I know little about him, but I will remedy that.  Astonishing day.  He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

He is 69 years old and from Chicago.  His twitter feed is still up and it looks pretty liberal.  However, things can look different when you are the one in charge.

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Pinky
Pinky
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 11:33am

!

Clinton
Clinton
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 11:40am

May God have mercy on us all.

Pinky
Pinky
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:15pm

Wow.

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:16pm

It’s Robert Cardinal Prevo, Leo XIV…. an American working in the Vatican, native of Chicago…. didn’t see THAT coming!

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:16pm

I don’t know whether to be proud or ashamed of the fact that he’s from Chicago 🙂

CAG
CAG
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:22pm

Maradiaga’s man … Very bad news

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:34pm

Cue speculation on the significance of the name Leo XIV….

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:50pm

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh…Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

May the patience of Job and the Trust in God be with all of us, for God knows what He is about.

Pope Leo the XIII….pray for us.

Tom Byrne
Tom Byrne
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:50pm

He wore the traditional garb rejected by Francis. A sign?
Bio says he an Augustinian (and not a Jesuit).

Clinton
Clinton
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:55pm

69 is relatively young, for a new Pope. The Cardinals selected a man they wish to see have a long pontificate, not a placeholder.

Greg Mockeridge
Greg Mockeridge
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 12:58pm

His father was a U.S. Navy WWII veteran. Being the son of a squid, he can’t be that bad!

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 1:27pm

Given that he was a missionary to Peru and reportedly a naturalized Peruvian citizen, the cardinals probably saw him as more Latin American than American. Wouldn’t he have an equal claim to being the first Peruvian pope? Come to think of it, when, if ever, was there a pope who had changed citizenship from his country of birth?

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 1:58pm

Elaine Krewer.

His birthplace,
Chicago, Illinois, USA

“… reportedly a naturalized Peruvian citizen.”

Who is reporting that?

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 2:01pm

My mistake Elaine..

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 2:02pm

EwTN and other Catholic news outlets

John Flaherty
John Flaherty
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 2:08pm

He grew up in Chicago, much of his priestly ministry happened in Peru.
I’d say an American pope is debatable, a Peruvian or 2nd South American pope is more accurate.
I guess we’ll see what happens.

Elaine Krewer
Admin
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 2:10pm

Also wondering if the cardinals saw him as a possible mediator or bridge builder between America and Latin America given his connections to both.

Donald Link
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 2:57pm

After we were given a little background, I immediately thought Francis Lite. Pray I am wrong.

trackback
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 3:06pm

[…] The College of Cardinals ReportLeo XIV is Thus a True Successor of Paul VI – The WM ReviewHabemus Papam: Robert Prevost-First American Pope-Pope Leo XIV – D. McClarey, J.D., at TACthlcPope Leo XIV Meeting Pope John Paul II – Catholic […]

The Bruised Optimist
The Bruised Optimist
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 3:16pm

Apparently Leo XIII did something for the Augustinians – approval of the scapular of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Perhaps that is the reason for the name…

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 3:24pm

😮 didn’t see that one coming. God Bless him and the Church and the Faithful. Keep praying. First American Pope…

MrsOpey
MrsOpey
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 3:41pm

Just praying it’s not seamless garment time

CAG
CAG
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 3:47pm

Edward Pentin says Prevost was the preferred candidate of Austen Ivereigh and James Martin.

Yeesh!

Probably doesn’t mean anything.

David WS
David WS
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 4:21pm

Time will tell. Key I think will be restrictions on the Latin Mass. If relaxed the Church should flourish in so many ways, if not trouble ahead.

If I hear one word of how great James Martin is, or a call for Open Borders -I’m immediately tuning out. It was very hard to tune out last time, this time… if necessary … it’s going to be a lot easier.

Steven
Steven
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 5:48pm

I don’t know about others, but I felt a sense of serenity when I heard he chose the name Leo, and then seeing him in traditional vestments reinforced that serenity. Here’s to hoping he moves back into the Papal Apartments!

TMarie
TMarie
Thursday, May 8, AD 2025 6:39pm

First time watching a new pope speak from the balcony. Have they always included a prayer we can all recite together? I felt a sense of peace when he began “Ave Maria…”

CAM
CAM
Friday, May 9, AD 2025 12:50am

Trivia: the new pope was/is a registered Republican. He has Peruvian citizenship so I am guessing he has dual citizenship. Maybe triple as he is now the ruler of Vatican City.. Because he was the host, if you will, greeting and settling in the cardinals upon their arrival all the cardinals know him. Pope Leo regards himself as Peruvian.

Penguins Fan
Penguins Fan
Friday, May 9, AD 2025 8:39am

Pope Leo XIV may consider himself Peruvian. Okay, no problem there…just that about half the money to operate the Vatican comes from the USA and the Vatican is drowning in red ink.

If nothing else, stomping on the TLM in the USA has been bad for business. I hope the new Pontiff recognizes that.

A DOGE team in Vatican City ain’t a bad idea.

smk, TOF
smk, TOF
Friday, May 9, AD 2025 11:07am

I understand His Holiness *never* gave up his American citizenship and still votes Republican in American elections. He has *dual* citizenship, American and Peruvian.

I have high hopes for him. It doesn’t cost a thing to be optimistic and to pray for him.

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