NEW POPE LEO XIV CALLS FOR PEACE AND UNITY IN FIRST COMMENTS

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States, has called for the light of Christ to serve “as the bridge” to God’s love in his first comments after being elected as the new Pope.

In his first comments in Italian, Pope Leo XIV said he wants this message of peace to “enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are.” Paying tribute to Pope Francis, he urged the faithful to “move forward, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other.”

The new Pope also thanked his fellow cardinals for choosing him for the role and led the faithful in St Peter’s Square in prayer, with Ave Maria. He recalled the words of St Augustine: “For you I am a bishop; but with you I am a Christian.”

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is a moderate, Chicago-born cardinal who has significant missionary experience in Peru, having served as bishop of the northern city of Chiclayo. He was created a cardinal by Francis in 2023 and appointed as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees the selection of new bishops from around the world.

The new Pope’s election is seen as significant, given the Vatican’s longstanding opposition to the idea of a pope from the US due to the country’s superpower status and secular global influence. However, Prevost’s experience and moderate stance may help to redeem him in the eyes of those who would not usually countenance the idea of an American pope.