Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, Succeeds Pope Francis

Vatican City – In a dramatic turn of events, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (69) of the United States has been elected as the 267th Catholic Pope, succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away last month. This marks the first time in Catholic history that an American has been chosen as Pope, and his papal name will be Leo XIV.

The conclave, the secret meeting of the College of Cardinals to elect a new Pope, was held with solemnity in the Sistine Chapel. On the second day of the assembly, around 6:08 PM local time on the 8th, the symbolic white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, signaling the election of a new Pope. The numerous faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, who had been eagerly awaiting the announcement, erupted in cheers and applause, unable to contain their joy.

Following the white smoke, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out, adding to the joyous atmosphere of the new Pope's birth. Soon after, the Cardinal Protodeacon appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and proclaimed to the world the historic moment with the words, "Habemus Papam (We have a Pope)." This conclave resulted in the election of a new Pope after a total of four rounds of voting over two days.

The Cardinal Protodeacon officially announced that Cardinal Prevost had been elected as the 267th Pope and that his papal name would be Leo XIV. Immediately after the announcement, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, offering a warm smile and gestures to the assembled crowds as his first greeting. With a voice filled with emotion, he delivered his first official statement in Italian: "La pace sia con tutti voi (Peace be with you all)."

Notably, reflecting his long history of pastoral work in the slums of Peru, Pope Leo XIV repeated the same message in Spanish, deeply impressing the Latin American faithful. Finally, in accordance with the long tradition of the Catholic Church, he solemnly imparted his first Apostolic Blessing 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the City and the World) in Latin, wishing blessing and peace to Catholic believers worldwide.

Born in Chicago, USA, Dedicated to Mission and Ministry to the Poor in Peru

Born in Chicago, USA, in 1955, Pope Leo XIV belongs to the Order of Saint Augustine and was ordained a priest in 1982. Although an American citizen, he has spent a significant portion of his life abroad. In particular, he dedicated 20 years as a missionary in Peru, focusing on pastoral work for the poor. This dedicated service nurtured in him a deep humanitarianism and empathy for the socially vulnerable, which is analyzed as having played a crucial role in his election as Pope.

His dedication was also recognized by Peruvian society, leading to his acquisition of Peruvian citizenship in 2015. In the same year, he was appointed Archbishop of Trujillo in Peru. This demonstrates that he was not merely a foreign missionary but had deeply integrated himself as a member of Peruvian society.

Trusted by Pope Francis, Held Key Roles Within the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV has enjoyed the deep trust of Pope Francis. Pope Francis personally appointed him as a Cardinal, and in 2023, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key department within the Holy See, entrusting him with the important responsibility of managing and overseeing the process of selecting new bishops. The Dicastery for Bishops plays a vital role in the Pope's pastoral activities, and his appointment as Prefect indicates that Cardinal Prevost wielded considerable influence within the Vatican.

In particular, he is known to have actively supported and spearheaded Pope Francis's reformist measures, including the unprecedented inclusion of three women in the voting body that decides the list of bishop candidates. This is a significant indication of his open-minded perspective on the modernization of the Church and the expansion of women's roles.

Balance Between Reform and Conservatism, Experience in Peripheral Ministry Contributed to Papal Election

Classified as a close associate of Pope Francis but considered to hold a moderate theological stance, Pope Leo XIV is attracting attention as a figure who can strike a balance between reformist and conservative factions within the Church. His sense of balance can be interpreted as demonstrating his potential as a leader who can listen to and integrate the diverse voices within a divided Church.

Furthermore, despite being American, his long history of pastoral work in marginalized communities such as slums is the dominant analysis for a key factor in his papal election. The Associated Press reported that there had been a kind of taboo against an American Pope due to the United States' strong secular influence worldwide. In this context, Pope Leo XIV's experience in peripheral ministry is seen as having allayed concerns about his background and instead highlighted his image as a humble and dedicated leader.

Wearing Traditional Vestments, Hinting at Succession of Leo XIII's Spirit

Pope Leo XIV drew attention by appearing on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica wearing the traditional papal vestment of a scarlet mozzetta (shoulder cape), which Pope Francis had declined to wear upon his election in 2013, citing it as "too ornate." Foreign media cautiously commented that his choice of traditional attire might suggest a certain return to the Church's traditions.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that the new Pope's chosen name, Leo XIV, carries the meaning of succeeding the spirit of Pope Leo XIII (reigned 1878-1903), who emphasized labor rights and social justice in the late 19th century. Pope Leo XIII, through his encyclical 'Rerum Novarum' (New Things), was a historic Pope who recognized the need for fair wages and humane working conditions for laborers, the right to form labor unions, and the right to private property, while also emphasizing social responsibility for the 'common good.'

Spokesman Bruni added, "(The new Pope's) choice of the name Leo XIV is a clear reference to modern Catholic social doctrine, which began with Leo XIII's encyclical 'Rerum Novarum'," and "it is also a clear message that the Church is deeply considering how people work and live in the age of artificial intelligence (AI)." This can be interpreted as indicating Pope Leo XIV's deep interest in social justice issues and the Church's proactive response to the new challenges of modern society.

Rapid Papal Election, Announcement of Consecutive Official Schedules

The election of the new Pope comes just 17 days after the passing of Pope Francis on the 21st of last month, demonstrating a relatively swift decision on his successor. The enthronement ceremony for the new Pope is expected to be held within a few days. The Holy See quickly announced Pope Leo XIV's upcoming official schedule. On the following day, the 9th, he will celebrate Mass with the Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, and on the 11th, he will deliver his first official blessing message to the faithful worldwide from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. Furthermore, he is scheduled to hold his first official press conference with journalists from around the world on the 12th.

President Trump: "Great Honor... Look Forward to Meeting Him"

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the election of a Pope from his own country through his social media, stating, "It is a great honor that he is the first American Pope," and "I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV." This reflects the significant interest and anticipation in American society regarding the election of an American Pope.

The election of Pope Leo XIV is seen as opening a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. As the first American Pope, the leadership he will demonstrate and the solutions he will offer to the various challenges of modern society are drawing the attention of Catholic believers and the media worldwide. Based on his past pastoral experience, theological inclinations, and the meaning behind his papal name, Pope Leo XIV is expected to emphasize social justice and lead the Church in step with the changes of modern society.