Robert Prevost has been named as the brand new Pope and can change into Francis’ successor following two days of voting contained in the Sistine Chapel.
In a historic first, the 69-year-old American missionary who made his identify ministering in Peru, has been elected pope — the primary American to ascend to the Catholic Church’s highest workplace in its 2,000-year historical past.
Stepping onto the world stage as Pope Leo XIV, the brand new pontiff’s first choice has despatched a robust sign in regards to the course he could take the Church.
The identify was introduced to cheering crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Sq. by a senior cardinal early right this moment.
The selection of papal identify, the primary glimpse into the imaginative and prescient of a brand new pope, is not any small matter within the Vatican.
It’s steeped in custom and punctiliously thought-about, typically offering clues to the papal agenda.
‘The papal identify Leo unsurprisingly exhibits a Pope who’s going to be sturdy throughout a time of disaster, traditionally,’ Catholic priest and blogger Ed Tomlinson instructed the Unbiased.
Robert Prevost, an American, has been named as the brand new Pope
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV seems on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican
Tomlinson additionally famous: ‘It appears prone to be a continuation of Francis’s liberalisation.’
The final pope to bear the identify was Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903 and is remembered for his mental management and his encyclicals on the rights of employees.
The primary, Leo the Nice, dominated from 440 to 461 and is revered as a Physician of the Church for defending orthodox teachings throughout a time of political and theological upheaval.
The adoption of a papal identify is an historical custom, courting again to the sixth century when Roman-born Mercurius declined to rule beneath a reputation honouring a pagan god and as an alternative grew to become John II.
It grew to become customary by the eleventh century and has since advanced right into a deeply symbolic act.
‘Even now, as we’re ready for the brand new pope, the identify with which he’ll current himself will assist us to know the horizon in direction of which he needs to proceed,’ mentioned Rev. Roberto Regoli, historian at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian College.
Prelates rejoice on St Peter’s Sq. as cardinals signaled they elected a brand new pope throughout their conclave
Individuals watch newly elected Pope Leone XIV as he seems on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica
A nun reacts as white smoke (unseen) alerts that cardinals elected a brand new pope throughout their conclave within the Vatican on Could 8
Names like John, Benedict, and Gregory have been standard over the centuries.
Because the mid-Twentieth century, nevertheless, the main focus of identify choice has shifted, now signalling the brand new pontiff’s priorities and the theological or pastoral legacy he hopes to uphold.
‘A Pope Francis II would have signalled a continuation of the late pontiff’s deal with pastoral care and the marginalised.’
Pope Francis himself even joked that his successor may be John XXIV, referencing the progressive legacy of the Second Vatican Council period.
Conversely, had Cardinal Prevost taken the identify Pius, it will have echoed a extra traditionalist tone.
The identify Peter, thought-about sacred in Catholic custom, has by no means been chosen – out of reverence for Saint Peter, the Church’s first pope.
Leo the Nice (Pope from 440 – 461)
A towering determine in early Christendom, Leo I earned his title ‘the Nice’ not only for his braveness, famously persuading Attila the Hun to spare Rome, however for outlining Church doctrine.
On the Council of Chalcedon in 451, Leo’s teachings triumphed, establishing the idea in Christ’s twin nature—each human and divine—nonetheless held by the Church right this moment.
Leo II (Pope from 682-683)
A mild soul and eloquent preacher, Leo II’s papacy was transient however compassionate.
Recognized for his charity and musical curiosity, his key act was confirming the Sixth Ecumenical Council’s condemnation of Monothelitism – a doctrine suggesting Christ had just one will.
A mild soul and eloquent preacher, Leo II’s papacy was transient however compassionate
Leo III (Pope from 795 – 816)
Neither an impressive churchman nor an astute politician, Leo III is remembered mainly for one factor: making historical past on Christmas Day within the 12 months 800.
Inside the unique St Peter’s Basilica, he topped Charlemagne as Emperor, successfully launching the Holy Roman Empire.
However controversy surrounded him – rumours swirled of immorality, and he lacked noble delivery, which did not sit effectively with everybody.
Leo III (750-816). Italian Pope of the Roman Catholic Church
Leo IV (Pope from 847-855)
A papal builder and defender, Leo IV rebuilt church buildings wrecked by Arab raiders and erected the mighty Leonine Wall to guard the Vatican.
He united Italian cities to win the ocean Battle of Ostia and even left his mark on Christian artwork – a rooster atop St Peter’s Basilica, a logo of Peter’s denial of Christ nonetheless seen on church buildings right this moment.
Leo V (Pope in 903)
A pope for simply over two months in 903, Leo V’s reign led to betrayal. He granted tax reduction to the canons of Bologna however was quickly overthrown and imprisoned by the bold Cardinal Christopher, who took the papacy for himself.
Leo possible died in captivity. Whether or not from homicide or pure causes stays a thriller.
Pope Leo V. Leo, born in Ardea close to Rome, was pope for thirty days in 903 AD
Leo VI (Pope in 928)
Chosen in chaotic occasions by the highly effective Roman noblewoman Marozia, Leo VI dominated for simply seven months. His most memorable acts? Sending bishops again to their dioceses, banning castrati from marrying, and urging Christians to rise towards Arab raiders – promising heavenly rewards for many who died defending the religion.
‘Whoever died devoted on this battle is not going to see himself refused entry into the heavenly kingdom.’
Leo VII (Pope from 936-939)
He had little ambition in direction of the papacy, however consented beneath strain from the political powerbroker Alberic II of Spoleto.
He helped dealer peace between Alberic and King Hugh of Italy by an organized marriage and appointed a German archbishop to reform the Church.
Notably, he allowed, however didn’t implement, the expulsion of unbaptised Jews.
Leo VIII (Pope from 963-964)
Pope Leo VIII (c. 915 – 1 March 965) was a Roman prelate who claimed the Holy See from 963 till 964 in opposition to John XII and Benedict V and once more from 23 June 964 to his loss of life.
At this time, he’s thought-about by the Catholic Church to have been an antipope through the first interval and the legit Pope through the second.
An appointee of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, Leo VIII’s preach occurred after the interval referred to as the saeculum obscurum or the darkish century.
Leo IX (Pope from 1048-1054)
Leo IX crisscrossed Europe calling councils and implementing sweeping reforms. He stood agency on papal authority however his daring stance led to the East–West Schism, a cut up between the Catholic and Japanese Orthodox Church buildings.
His lowest second? Being captured by Norman forces in 1053 and held for 9 months in captivity.
The reign of Leo IX is memorable for 2 causes. First is the intensive reforms he carried out throughout the church. Second is his forceful assist of papal supremacy, which led to a proper break with the Japanese Orthodox Church in 1054.
Leo X (Pope from 1513-1521)
He spent all the cash he may collect to construct Rome into a terrific metropolis, however his failure to take Martin Luther severely led to the Protestant Reformation.
4 points dominated the reign of Leo X: the unsuccessful efforts of the fifth Lateran Council to reform the church, his constructing programmes for Rome, political ambitions to dominate Italy, and the Lutheran Reformation.
Portrait of Pope Leo X with Cardinals Giulio de’ Medici and Luigi de’ Rossi, ca 1518
Leo XI (Pope in 1605)
The shortest reign of any Leo – simply 26 days. Generally known as the ‘Lightning Pope,’ Leo XI died of fever, possible worsened by publicity throughout his official coronation occasions.
Aged practically 70 at election, he honoured his uncle Leo X along with his papal identify however by no means had the possibility to depart a legacy
Leo XII (Pope from 1823-1829)
A deeply conservative pope, Leo XII dominated throughout turbulent occasions. Frail in well being however sturdy in will, he enforced harsh legal guidelines—together with restrictions on Jews proudly owning property and raised taxes that did not rescue the Papal States’ struggling funds.
His reign was outlined extra by custom than transformation.
Leo XIII (Pope from 1878-1903)
Leo XIII reigned for 1 / 4 of a century. At 67, he took over a Church dealing with trendy challenges: science, socialism, and the rise of democracy.
The time was one in every of nice scientific and technological development, in addition to social, political, and financial upheaval. Western society was changing into extra democratic. Extra folks had been getting the correct to vote.
As an alternative of resisting change, Leo sought dialogue, laying the groundwork for the Church’s future engagement with the fashionable world.
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