Pope Leo XIV. File on the New Pope.

Pope Leo XIV: Selection and First Steps

On May 8, at 18:08 Rome Time, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The fourth round of voting, which began the day before, yielded the final result. The 267th Pope was elected. However, regarding the identity of the pontiff, the laypeople had to remain in ignorance for some time.

They had to ask the Pope if he accepts his election. And if so, what name he wishes to take. This information was recorded on paper, as custom dictates. Then the pontiff would go from the Sistine Chapel to the so-called 'Room of Tears' and change into a white papal cassock. Interesting fact: the new attire for the Pope was prepared in advance in three different sizes.

What is Known About the New Pope?

Robert Prevo is 69 years old. He was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago. His father, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, participated in World War II and later worked as a school administrator. From his parents, Prevo inherited French and Italian roots.

He is a curial cardinal, meaning he is the head of one of the congregations of the Roman Curia.

Pope Leo XIV also has an extensive apostolic service in Peru. This is general information, and now a bit more detail.

Prevo completed his secondary education in a minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine in 1973. Then he studied mathematics at Villanova University and earned a bachelor's degree in this discipline. His second degree is a master's degree in theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

The Legacy of Francis

It is known about Robert Prevo that he supported Pope Francis's position on allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion. He expressed cautious support for Francis's initiative to allow priests to bless same-sex couples.

Polish radio reports that the new pontiff is known for his moderation, diplomacy, and deep understanding of issues concerning the Latin American church. He is also a person with excellent canonical and administrative qualifications. Before the conclave, Prevo was referred to as a 'compromise candidate' for the papal throne.

The new Pope is committed to the ideals of social justice and is ready to continue the legacy of the late Francis.

In his address to the faithful, Leo XIV outlined his vision of the Catholic Church as one that 'builds bridges' and engages in dialogue.

Make the World Great Again?

The fact that Prevo spent so much time in Latin America makes him more of a universal rather than an American candidate. However, the visit of the U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance to the Vatican a day before the death of Pope Francis makes one look at Prevo's election from a different perspective. The United States has long wanted to see an American on the Holy See.

U.S. President Donald Trump even stated that he would like to be Pope himself, specifying that he would not be able to marry in that case. He even had to subsequently distance himself from an AI-generated image where he was depicted with a papal tiara.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, supported such an idea, stating, 'I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic believers to be open-minded about this possibility! The first combination of a Roman Pope and a U.S. president has many advantages. Let's watch for the white smoke... Trump MXXXVIII!'.

However, no matter how we assess the potential influence of the White House administration on the elections in the Vatican, it should not be forgotten that Pope Francis was a harsh critic of some of Trump's initiatives. For example, he condemned Trump's deportation policies as unfair and inhumane. He called on Catholics to actively oppose anti-immigrant narratives circulating in society.

Previously, in 2016, during the first presidential campaign of Trump, Francis even called him 'not a Christian'. Robert Prevo may avoid such sharp judgments, but he will also adopt a critical stance towards the White House administration. At the very least, it is more natural to expect his loyalty to the legacy of the late Francis than to the White House's projects.

And for Ukraine, what is most significant is, of course, the attitude of the newly elected Pope towards the Russian-Ukrainian war. Here, hope arises from Prevo's peacemaking activities within the framework of Vatican diplomacy. The fact that Leo XIV participated in it indicates his support for efforts to establish peace in Ukraine. This continues the line of his predecessor Francis.

Conclusion

The election of Robert Prevo to the position of Pope Leo XIV took place under the sign of compromise and unknown circumstances. Important highlights for the new pontiff include his legacy from the late Francis, his loyalty to social justice, and his deep understanding of issues related to the Latin American church. Pope Leo XIV has already addressed the people with his first message, calling for peace and reflection on his role in the Catholic Church. The further actions of the new Pope may significantly impact international politics and the development of social and spiritual issues.

Nataliya Lebid, 'Glavcom'