Credit: Aaron Burden / Unsplash.com
While many did not think an American would ever be selected as the pope, Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost took to the balcony at St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday.
Prevost, a Class of 1977 Villanova University graduate, took the name Leo XIV.
The traditional white smoke noting a new pope was chosen, arose from the Sistine Chapel after the third vote Thursday. It was considered an early decision in a move that normally takes about four rounds of voting.
The 69-year-old was announced as the new leader of the Catholic church about an hour after the white smoke billowed.
"We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light," Pope Leo said in Italian. "Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love."
"Evil will not prevail," he said.
Bishop Joseph A. Williams, who heads the Camden diocese, issued a statement about the choice.
"With deep joy and profound gratitude to the Holy Spirit, I join with my sister and brother Catholics from around the world in welcoming our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as the successor to Saint Peter," he wrote. "In this moment of great significance for the universal Church, we give thanks for the prayerful discernment of the College of Cardinals and to God, who has once again fulfilled his promise of long ago ...
"I invite all the faithful of the Diocese of Camden to join me in offering heartfelt prayers for the pope that he be given strength and courage in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus the Messiah to the world," he wrote. "May God bless Pope Leo XIV, and may the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for him always."
