A historic event took place in the Vatican – the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV, was proclaimed the successor of Saint Peter after a swift voting process. White smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the conclusion of the election, while the solemn ringing of bells gathered thousands of believers in the center of Rome.
This is reported by Kyiv24
The Election of Leo XIV and His Biography
Approximately forty minutes after the voting, Cardinal Protodeacon Domenico Mamberti announced the name of the new pontiff. He then appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to address the crowd and deliver his first blessing, “Urbi et Orbi.” His words and presence received a warm welcome, and the crowd applauded enthusiastically, including Ukrainian believers.
At the ceremony, there were 133 cardinal electors, among them Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop Mykola Bychok. The new Pope Leo XIV is the 267th in the history of the church, born in Chicago, and the first representative from the United States elected to the highest spiritual leadership of the Catholic Church. He is 69 years old.
“With you, I am a Christian, and for you, I am a bishop,” the new Pope reminded during his first address, quoting the words of Saint Augustine.
Cardinal Prevost from Peru, who spent most of his career as a missionary in that country, became an unexpected candidate and was elected in 2023. His election occurred more quickly than that of the previous pontiff, Francis – in just four rounds of voting, and white smoke rose on the second day, which is considered a sign of the church’s unity.
Prospects and Global Reaction
Renowned Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi emphasized that the swift and coordinated election of the new Pope is a sign of internal unity within the church. The new leader has significant experience in missionary work and in leading the church on a global scale.
His biography draws considerable attention – Prevost, who also holds Peruvian citizenship, was appointed head of the office responsible for the appointment of Catholic priests and bishops worldwide. This makes him a potential bridging figure between different worlds and cultures.
The head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, on behalf of the Ukrainian clergy and faithful, welcomed the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. He noted that “by taking this name, the Holy Father bears witness to the whole world that the breath of peace from the Risen Savior needs to be transformed in contemporary circumstances into a renewed doctrine of the Catholic Church about just and lasting peace. We sincerely believe that the new Bishop of Rome will become a herald of peace for the long-suffering Ukrainian people, which comes from the Risen Lord.”