Habemus Papam! Leo XIV elected as 267th pope
By Catherine Sheehan
As the sun set over Rome on the evening of 8 May, US-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced to the world as the 267th Successor of St Peter and Vicar of Christ to 1.4 billion Catholics.
The 69-year-old is the first pope from the United States and the first Augustinian pope.
“Peace be with you,” were the new pope’s first words to the ecstatic crowd gathered in St Peter’s Square.
“Dearest brothers and sisters,” he continued, “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.”
Overcome with emotion, and seeming to hold back tears, Pope Leo XIV delivered his address in both Italian and Spanish.
He reminded the crowd that, “God loves us, all of us,” and that, “evil will not prevail.”
“We are all in the hands of God,” he said. “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.”
Referring to his religious order he said, “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He [Augustine] 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.”
He also reminded the crowd that it was the Feast of Our Lady of Pompeii, also known as Our Lady of the Rosary.
“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.”
The pope then led the crowd in praying the ‘Hail Mary’ in Italian, before delivering his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing in Latin.
Just an hour earlier, the thousands gathered in the Square had wept and shouted with joy as white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel just after 6pm Rome time, following the fourth ballot of voting by the 133 Cardinal Electors.
As the white smoke sprouted forth, the bells of St Peter’s Basilica chimed continuously, calling the people of Rome to come and meet the new pontiff. The Swiss Guards marched to the forecourt of the Basilica where they formed a guard of honour as the crowed waited excitedly to learn the name of the new pope. The anticipation was palpable.
Finally, the cardinal protodeacon, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti walked onto the loggia of St Peter’s and said those moving words, “Habemus Papam!” (“We have a Pope!”). Moments later, wearing the traditional red mozetta and papal stole, Pope Leo XIV walked onto the loggia to greet the crowd and give them his blessing.
At 69 years of age, Pope Leo XIV makes for a relatively young pope. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 14 September 1955 to a mother of Spanish descent and a father of French and Italian descent. He joined the Order of St Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982.
After earning a doctorate in Canon Law at the Angelicum in Rome he served on the Augustinian mission in Peru. In 2015 he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and in 2023 Pope Francis made him a cardinal and named him Prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops.
The announcement of Pope Leo XIV’s election on 8 May was welcomed by religious and secular leaders around the world.
President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, offered congratulations to the new pope on behalf of the Catholic Church in Australia.
“Cardinal Prevost brought to his most recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops an approachability and willingness to listen which were no doubt developed throughout his many years as an Augustinian missionary in Peru,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“The Catholic Church in Australia assures Pope Leo XIV of our prayers, loyalty, and joyful anticipation of his spiritual leadership. May his pontificate be marked by peace, unity, and a deepening of the Gospel message throughout the world,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also offered his best wishes to Pope Leo XIV.
“Today is a momentous day for Catholics around the world and faithful in Australia, and I join them in congratulating their Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of Rome, on his election overnight,” Mr Albanese said.
“As the first North American Pope, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership comes at an important time for the Catholic Church and the world.
“Australia will invite His Holiness Pope Leo to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress being proudly hosted in 2028.”
Responding to the election of the first pope from North America, US President Donald Trump said, “What greater honour could there be?”
He added, “We’re a little bit surprised but very happy.”
Closer to home, South Hobart Parish Priest, and former Ambassador to the Holy See, Fr Michael Tate AO, expressed gratitude and hope for the papacy of Leo XIV who he said was elected “by a truly Catholic conclave”.
“We have a man chosen by a true cross-section of the many national and ethnic groupings that make up the Catholic Church,” Fr Tate said.
“We give thanks for this inspired choice and pray that the famous gospel passage comes true: ‘You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church’ (Matt16:18).”
