The smoke above the Vatican is white. On Thursday evening local time, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected as the new Pope. He took the name Leo XIV, the first Leo in over a hundred years. While Catholics worldwide celebrated him, some were less than happy. On social media, MAGA supporters are now criticizing Leo.<\/p>\n
Only two days after the conclave of Catholic cardinals met in Vatican City and looked themselves in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope, the smoke on top of the building was white; a new pope had been elected. American Robert Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica to the roar of thousands of people gathered in St Peter\u2019s Square. He took the name Leo XIV, meaning 13 popes before him have chosen.<\/p>\n
Speaking to CBS, Dennis Doyle, a theologian and professor emeritus of religious studies at the University of Dayton, explained that a pope\u2019s name indicates \u201ca certain spirit and direction and vision of the new pope.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing that you would look for would be, which popes had that name before?\u201d he said. \u201cThat would signify something about the direction that the pope wants to take.\u201d<\/p>\n
CBS papal contributor Candida Moss said the name Leo can be traced back to Pope Leo the Great. He held his papacy from 440 to 461 and famously met with Attila the Hun and talked him out of attacking Rome.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does this mean for our new Pope? Well, it might mean that he, too, is going to stand up to oppressive political forces in the world,\u201d Moss told CBS, adding that Leo is known as a \u201cgreat intellectual and theological reformer. \u201c<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV
\nWhen appearing on the balcony, Pope Leo XIV held a ceremonial speech to Catholics worldwide, beginning with the words, \u201cPeace be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo continued, \u201cDearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome \u2013 the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV also thanked his \u201ccardinal brothers\u201d for choosing him as Pope. He sent a special greeting to the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, where he served as Bishop between 2014 and 2023.<\/p>\n
To all the faithful here present, and to all those who receive his blessing through the radio, through television, and other technologies of communication. You can recognise him in the way recognised by the church,\u201d the Pope concluded. \u201cLet us hope that he\u2019s preserved for a long time and ensure peace to the church throughout the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
\nPope Leo XIV made history as the first American Pope. So, who is he? Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955, Prevost grew up in the suburb of Dalton. Although not much is known about his childhood, in an interview with NBC Chicago, the Pope\u2019s brother, John, said it was \u201cnormal.\u201d It appears Pope Leo XIV had his life planned out from a very early age.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he knew it by first grade that he was going to be a priest. And there was no question in anyone\u2019s mind. I think the question that our parents had was, would you be a diocesan priest and work at a parish, or would you be an order priest. Which he chose, Augustinian,\u201d John Prevost, the Pope\u2019s brother, said.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo decided to leave his normal childhood behind and left for an Augustinian Seminary.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe went right from high school seminary, and then Augustinian College at Villanova, and then the year of theology. So he wasn\u2019t home a lot, except for summer vacations,\u201d the Pope\u2019s brother continued, adding that despite being the youngest, Leo usually gave them advice. \u201cIt\u2019s usually the other way around; he gives the advice to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an interview with the Italian network Rai before his election, Pope Leo XIV explained that he grew up in an immigrant family.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV. Credit: Getty Images
\nPope Leo XIV. Credit: Getty Images
\nThe smoke above the Vatican is white. On Thursday evening local time, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected as the new Pope. He took the name Leo XIV, the first Leo in over a hundred years. While Catholics worldwide celebrated him, some were less than happy. On social media, MAGA supporters are now criticizing Leo.<\/p>\n
Only two days after the conclave of Catholic cardinals met in Vatican City and looked themselves in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope, the smoke on top of the building was white; a new pope had been elected. American Robert Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica to the roar of thousands of people gathered in St Peter\u2019s Square. He took the name Leo XIV, meaning 13 popes before him have chosen.<\/p>\n
Speaking to CBS, Dennis Doyle, a theologian and professor emeritus of religious studies at the University of Dayton, explained that a pope\u2019s name indicates \u201ca certain spirit and direction and vision of the new pope.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing that you would look for would be, which popes had that name before?\u201d he said. \u201cThat would signify something about the direction that the pope wants to take.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nCBS papal contributor Candida Moss said the name Leo can be traced back to Pope Leo the Great. He held his papacy from 440 to 461 and famously met with Attila the Hun and talked him out of attacking Rome.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does this mean for our new Pope? Well, it might mean that he, too, is going to stand up to oppressive political forces in the world,\u201d Moss told CBS, adding that Leo is known as a \u201cgreat intellectual and theological reformer. \u201c<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV
\nWhen appearing on the balcony, Pope Leo XIV held a ceremonial speech to Catholics worldwide, beginning with the words, \u201cPeace be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo continued, \u201cDearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome \u2013 the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV also thanked his \u201ccardinal brothers\u201d for choosing him as Pope. He sent a special greeting to the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, where he served as Bishop between 2014 and 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo all the faithful here present, and to all those who receive his blessing through the radio, through television, and other technologies of communication. You can recognise him in the way recognised by the church,\u201d the Pope concluded. \u201cLet us hope that he\u2019s preserved for a long time and ensure peace to the church throughout the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
\nPope Leo XIV made history as the first American Pope. So, who is he? Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955, Prevost grew up in the suburb of Dalton. Although not much is known about his childhood, in an interview with NBC Chicago, the Pope\u2019s brother, John, said it was \u201cnormal.\u201d It appears Pope Leo XIV had his life planned out from a very early age.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he knew it by first grade that he was going to be a priest. And there was no question in anyone\u2019s mind. I think the question that our parents had was, would you be a diocesan priest and work at a parish, or would you be an order priest. Which he chose, Augustinian,\u201d John Prevost, the Pope\u2019s brother, said.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo decided to leave his normal childhood behind and left for an Augustinian Seminary.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe went right from high school seminary, and then Augustinian College at Villanova, and then the year of theology. So he wasn\u2019t home a lot, except for summer vacations,\u201d the Pope\u2019s brother continued, adding that despite being the youngest, Leo usually gave them advice. \u201cIt\u2019s usually the other way around; he gives the advice to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an interview with the Italian network Rai before his election, Pope Leo XIV explained that he grew up in an immigrant family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was born in the United States\u2026 But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish\u2026 I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe maintains good humour and joy\u201d
\nPrevost holds American and Peruvian citizenship, which will affect his career within the church. He gave his vows in 1981 and studied in Rome. After that, he was sent on a mission to Peru and stayed there for many years. In 2014, he was appointed bishop of Ciclayo in Peru.<\/p>\n
As per The Guardian, Rev Fidel Purisaca Vigil, the communications director for Prevost\u2019s old diocese in Chiclayo, Pope Leo XIV was a calm and grounded leader. He always sat down with fellow priests after morning prayer to eat breakfast.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humour and joy,\u201d Rev Fidel Purisaca Vigil told the Associated Press.<\/p>\n
Another person who spoke about Leo is his former roommate, Reverend John Lyndon. He lived with the Pope for a decade in Peru and told the BBC that he was an \u201coutstanding\u201d and \u201cdown-to-earth\u201d person who loved singing and cooking.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes he would make pizza, back in those days you couldn\u2019t get good pizza in Peru,\u201d Rev Lyndon told the BBC. \u201cHe was somebody you would sit down with and just talk and laugh,\u201d he adds. \u201cHe had a very good singing voice as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued, \u201cWe always had to block out a week for his birthday, which is in December, because every part of the parish wanted to celebrate his birthday,\u201d he concluded, \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing thing. I\u2019m still absorbing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leo XIV has long supported the previous Pope, Pope Francis. He supported him in blessing same-sex couples and other people in \u201cirregular situations.\u201d However, he also believed that bishops had to interpret it in directives by local cultures.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo \u201cdidn\u2019t\u201d think he\u2019d win election, brother reveals
\nLike his predecessor, Leo has spoken out about the threat of climate change, and said last year that it\u2019s time to move from \u201cwords to action.\u201d He also said that humanity has to build a \u201crelationship of reciprocity\u201d with the environment. Moreover, he has supported the installation of solar panels and the adoption of electric vehicles.<\/p>\n
Pope Francis was also a supporter of women joining the Dicastery for Bishops. In 2023, he told Vatican News that he had, on several occasions, seen women\u2019s \u201cpoint of view as an enrichment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before becoming Pope, Leo\u2019s most high-profile role inside the Vatican was President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the selection of new bishops worldwide.<\/p>\n
Exactly how many votes Leo received inside the conclave is not known. He was not among the favorites beforehand. Speaking to NBC Chicago, John Prevost revealed that he asked his brother if he had watched the movie Conclave before the start of the real papal conclave, so he\u2019d \u201cknow how to behave\u201d if he were elected.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he knew how to behave. So it\u2019s that kind of stuff, because I wanted to take his mind off of it, laugh about something, because this is now an awesome responsibility,\u201d Prevost told NBC, adding that Pope Leo was doubtful about \u2018winning\u2019 the election..<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t think so. I kind of did, because what I was reading and what I was hearing that there were three outstanding candidates that were in first, second and third place. The Cardinal from the Philippines, the Secretary of State and him,\u201d Prevost said, concluding that he \u201cdidn\u2019t believe\u201d that his brother actually won.<\/p>\n
Donald Trump congratulates
\n\u201cI didn\u2019t believe it, and Rob didn\u2019t believe it. I should say, Pope Leo didn\u2019t believe it at all, because there\u2019s not going to be an American pope was the attitude,\u201d Prevost said.<\/p>\n
Leo\u2019s papacy will go down in history as the first to be American. It didn\u2019t take long before US President Donald Trump congratulated the newly elected Pope through his Truth Social account.<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!\u201d<\/p>\n
The President added, \u201cI look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was a \u201clittle bit surprised\u201d that Pope Leo won the election but reiterated that it was an \u201cabsolutely great honor.\u201d He added, \u201cIt\u2019s such a great honor for our country, an American pope, and what greater honor can there be?\u201d<\/p>\n
While the President of the United States congratulated Pope Leo XIV, his supporters had other ideas. On social media, MAGA supporters and several Republican influencers<\/p>\n
MAGA-suporters furious over Pope Leo election win
\nNot long ago, Prevost publicly criticized VP JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd. As per Independent, one Trump supporter stated Leo was a \u201cwoke Marxcist Pope,\u201d adding that he is \u201cworse than Francis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alt-right conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich took to X, writing, \u201cSorry, Catholics. This new Pope is an open borders globalist. He will be pushing for abortion soon. This isn\u2019t a guess. You can scroll his X account and see what he\u2019s been up to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pro-Trump social media personality Joe Mannarino mentioned that Pope Leo had previously attacked JD Vance and \u201cbegged Trump to open the borders like Biden had them.\u201d He added that \u201cthis guy is worse than Francis,\u201d and called Leo a \u201cliberal piece of s***\u201d and insisted that \u201cwe\u2019re f**cked.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAGA influencer Vince Langman was in rage after Pope Leo XIV had been elected, bringing up a 2015 tweet from Prevost where he criticized Trump\u2019s anti-immigrant statements.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a WOKE Never Trumper liberal. That\u2019s why!\u201d Langman wrote as per the Independent.<\/p>\n
Even before the election, supporters of the MAGA movement showed their disapproval if Provost became Pope. Former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon told Piers Morgan last week, \u201cI do think one of the dark horses \u2014 and unfortunately one of the most progressive \u2014 is Cardinal Prevost\u2026 he\u2019s certainly on the shortlist.\u201d<\/p>\n
What do you think of Pope Leo XIV? Please share this article on Facebook with friends and family and give us your opinion!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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