Who’s Robert Prevost, the brand new Pope Leo XIV?

Even earlier than his identify was introduced from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, the crowds under have been chanting “Viva il Papa” – Lengthy reside the Pope.

Robert Prevost, 69, would be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will likely be often called Leo XIV.

He would be the first American to fill the position of Pope, though he’s thought-about as a lot a cardinal from Latin America due to the various years he spent as a missionary in Peru, earlier than turning into an archbishop there.

He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a determine who labored with marginalised communities and helped construct bridges within the native Church.

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Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982.

In his first phrases as Pope, Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis.

“We nonetheless hear in our ears the weak however at all times brave voice of Pope Francis who blessed us,” he stated.

“United and hand in hand with God, allow us to advance collectively,” he instructed cheering crowds.

He instructed the group listening in St Peter’s that he was a member of the Augustinian Order. He was 30 when he moved to Peru as a part of an Augustinian mission.

Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru a yr after turning into Pope.

He’s well-known to cardinals throughout the globe due to his high-profile position of prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

As 80% of the cardinals who took half within the conclave have been appointed by Francis, it isn’t all that stunning that somebody like Prevost was elected.

He will likely be seen as a determine who favoured the continuity of Francis’ reforms within the Catholic Church.

Though he’s an American, and will likely be absolutely conscious of the divisions throughout the Catholic Church, his Latin American background additionally represents continuity after a Pope who got here from Argentina.

Though throughout his time as archbishop in Peru he has not escaped the sexual abuse scandals which have clouded the Church, his diocese fervently denied he had been concerned in any tried cover-up.

Earlier than the conclave, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that in gatherings of the Faculty of Cardinals within the days earlier than the conclave they emphasised the necessity for a pope with “a prophetic spirit able to main a Church that doesn’t shut in on itself however is aware of learn how to exit and produce mild to a world marked by despair”.