LEO XIV, FIRST AMERICAN POPE

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope on Thursday, May 8, becoming the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He is now known as Pope Leo XIV. Prevost, aged 69, from Chicago  Illinois, is the first ever pope from the United States.

Addressing the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to late Pope Francis, urging to remember his predecessor’s legacy before outlining his vision.

“We have to seek together to be a missionary church,” he said. “A church that builds bridges and dialogue.” he said. Speaking in Italian to thousands of Catholic faithful, Leo called on people to “show our charity” to others “and be in dialog with love.”