Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica:
Pope Leo XIV: Greetings to Rome and to the world
Peace be with you! Dearest 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.
This 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 – the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.
Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.
Thank you Pope Francis!
Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:
We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.
[In Spanish]:
Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.
[Returning to Italian]:
To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei.
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
Hail Mary…
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“dialogue and encounter”
“peace and justice”
“women and men”
“dialogue”
“dialogue”
“synodal”
Not looking good.
Found this after some digging with search tech:
Rev. P. Robert Francis PREVOST, O.S.A. (Pope Leo XIV), Address to the Synod of Bishops, 2012
At least in the contemporary western world, if not throughout the entire world, the human imagination concerning both religious faith and ethics is largely shaped by mass media, especially by television and cinema. Western mass media is extraordinarily effective in fostering within the general public enormous sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.
However, overt opposition to Christianity by mass media is only part of the problem. The sympathy for anti-Christian lifestyle choices that mass media fosters is so brilliantly and artfully engrained in the viewing public, that when people hear the Christian message it often inevitably seems ideological and emotionally cruel by contrast to the ostensible humaneness of the anti-Christian perspective.
If the “New Evangelization” is going to counter these mass media-produced distortions of religious and ethical reality successfully, pastors, preachers, teachers and catechists are going to have to become far more informed about the challenge of evangelizing in a world dominated by mass media.
The Fathers of the Church, including Saint Augustine, can provide eminent guidance for the Church in this aspect of the New Evangelization, precisely because they were masters of the art of rhetoric. Their evangelizing was successful in great part because they understood the foundations of social communication appropriate to the world in which they lived.
In order to combat successfully the dominance of the mass media over popular religious and moral imaginations, it is not sufficient for the Church to own its own television media or to sponsor religious films. The proper mission of the Church is to introduce people to the nature of mystery as an antidote to spectacle. Religious life also plays an important role in evangelization, pointing others to this mystery, through living faithfully the evangelical counsels.
The new Pope is a Doctor of canon law.Justice has to be seen to be done in the cases of Bishop Strickland and Bishop of Toulon.
Then there is the outstanding case of Archbishop Lefebvre who was denied a hearing at the Apostolic Signatura on the orders of Cardinal Vilot….. not to mention the communist party of China appointing bishops left, right and centre…..
Frank has left Leo a great steaming pile of ordure to sort out.
Pray for this man. Let’s see. Not even a bone of a welcome in English to Chicago. Why I wonder.
At first blush, seems to me there’s a great lot of “walking with” here. Please, may this be just over sensitivity on my part.
I think we must give Pope Leo the benefit of the doubt, and see what he actually does (actions do speak louder than words).
But given where he comes from—the global-elite-loving progressive church in Chicago and the liberation-theology-south—and his prior support for remarried Catholics to receive Holy Communion and for Fiducia Supplicans, I fear this may be a disaster. We could be left with just an NGO in Rome, not the church of Jesus Christ, which may exist only in clandestine Masses in people’s homes. The Lord has allowed this, but it could be hard to bear.
And if I hear “walking together” and “synodality” one more time, I will have to excuse myself to use the porcelain throne.
Boy they must really fear Trump and JD to do this. Let the tweets continue!
I think the cheshire cat smile on Cupich and Cdl. Prevost’s Twitter/X feed pretty much says it all. Cupich’s bright teeth were putting my eyes out. The new pope had a speech prepared, probably from yesterday when they told him. Oy.
Here is what could be a rational explanation for the Cardinals’ choice.
The National Catholic Register reported that what Cardinals said during the pre-conclave General Congregations indicated seven priorities on their minds regarding the next Pope. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/seven-themes-twelve-congregations
This list of priorities Cardinals actually spoke about COULD show parts of why they chose Cardinal Prevost:
7 Priorities for the Next Pope, According to the Cardinals
The pre-conclave sessions surfaced pressing concerns — and may hint at what kind of shepherd the cardinals hope to elect.
1. Importance of Canon Law
This was a recurring theme throughout the discussions held during the 12 general congregations.
2. Ethnic Diversity in the Church
This appears to be a request coming primarily from the cardinals of the Amazon region
3. Synodality and the Ecclesiology of Communion
4. A Pastoral Pontiff, Open to Dialogue with the World; the Missionary Nature of the Church; the Role of the Poor
5. Greater Focus on the Role of the Roman Curia
This concern was clearly voiced by a significant group of curial cardinals, who emphasized the need for a pope capable of effectively managing the institutional structure of the Church.
6. The Pursuit of Peace
7. Hermeneutics of Continuity Across the Last Three Pontificates
According to those who raised this issue during the general congregations, the Church should seek a pastoral pope with deep theological insight and openness to contemporary challenges.
Pope Leo has a Doctorate in Canon Law (#1), he served a long time in Peru (#2), he mentioned #3, #4, and #6 in his address from the balcony, and he comes most recently from the Curia as Prefect of the Dicastory for Bishops (#5). #7 is not clear yet.
I don’t know why, but as soon as I saw him appropriately vested, I felt a sense normalcy and relief return. He’s a mathematician and doctor of Canon Law. I feel like the laws and rules of the Church will become important again.
But what about his SHOES?????
I like the traditional garb and I like the name. He’s no Cardinal Sarah but I think it could’ve gone worse. Being an American pope from the midwest, am I being naive in thinking restrictions on the Vetus Ordo actually have a chance of being lifted? As Pope Francis said, America is “backward-looking” and the practicing Catholics I feel are generally conservative here, especially the young ones, which makes me hope he’ll listen to the American people and lift the restrictions. Yeah, maybe he did critize the Trump admin on immigration policy, and while it’s not a great look, what does that really mean? It’s not like he’s legislating border policy or anything. All in all, surely he’ll be an upgrade from Pope Francis.
I’ve got good feelings about him, I am very relieved.
Seems to me i should give him the benefit of the doubt. there are, after all, some good signs:
– harking back to Leo XIII of blessed memory;
– traditional papal vesture;
– the mention of the Our Lady of Pompei prayer;
– the 2012 address above;
– there’s a mention on twitter that he regularly celebrates the TLM, albeit in private – made plausible by his smooth pronunciation of the Latin blessing;
– also on twitter Bishop James Conley (Lincoln, Nebraska) recounted how impressed a fellow-bishop was with him.
If God’s will was realized today, blessed be His holy will. I will be giving His Holiness exactly what many of us gave his predecessor twelve long years ago… my filial respect and loyalty, my prayers, my good will. I have no reason not to. What the last Pope chose to do with all of that, from the members of the flock that he decided to dislike, hurt, marginalize and ignore is DONE. Finito. Do not drag that with you any longer. Lent is over, it is Easter. I feel for anyone so legitimately hurt and jaded by the last twelve years, and I felt that too and do not dismiss any of it, that he/she is too unwilling to turn the page today and allow hope to do its work. May our new Pontiff see joyful faces, hopeful faces, welcoming faces, serious and committed faces in those of us attached to our Church’s perennial teaching and glorious Traditions. May he always find in us his most loyal sons and daughters. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro LEO, VIVA EL PAPA.
But what about his SHOES?????
Perhaps he has difficult to fit feet and they didn’t have anything that would fit and needs to go the couture route.
I’m with APX. I was immediately put off by Pope Francis. I am not having that reaction so far to Pope Leo, although much still remains to be seen as to what he will be like as Pope. My sense so far though is that things will become more normal, and that the ostracization by the papacy of Latin Mass/pro-life Catholics will end.
My error: I referred to Cupich but I meant Wuerl. It was Wuerl’s bright, Crest white stripped, gleaming teeth and cheshire cat grin. He sure looks happy! And why not, all his dreams just came true.
He fired Bishop Strickland. What more is needed. This is a disaster. And Cdl. Burke’s message about him is frankly depressing. I mean really?
Habemus Papam
partis meridionalis!
His boyhood parish (now closed) is literally on the edge of Chicago – if you cross the street South from it you’re in Dolton, IL.
And yes, they found his brother – he is a White Sox fan (and my, do they need prayers!).
I second APX’s comments above. For me personally the relief came as soon as I heard the new pope’s very traditional chosen name (Leo XIV), and then seeing the pope himself appropriately dressed in the papal red shoulder cape and stole. Like Archlaic above, I remain curious to see if we will see the red papal shoes as well :-)
To all those worried above, I suppose we shall soon see the whole picture regarding the new pope. One of the clues to watch out for is how friendly or unfriendly the secular mainstream media will treat him. Already this from USA Today: “Pope Leo XIV swayed back to tradition during his introduction, bearing a red shoulder cape and red and gold stole.”
Despite what the internet says, it is early and there are many graces offered to him as Pope. Let us pray for him that he will listen to the Holy Spirit and be brave in supporting sacred tradition and speak to the world about Christ. He could have chosen not to dress as he did when he came out on the balcony. He also could have taken Francis II as his name. Time will tell but for now I give him the benefit of the doubt and ask God to have him lead as a holy pope.
How does a 2nd or 3rd tier candidate receive 89 votes in just 4 sessions ? Maybe he was 1st Tier all along thanks to some well connected American cardinals. Cupich, McElroy, Tobin…
I sense his being American has significance but not sure how.
Things are moving, shaking in the world largely I suspect because of the United States (and President Trump). Love or hate him there’s no doubt where he (& thus America) stands. I won’t be surprised that Pope Leo will perhaps pursue a similar path. We will know where he stands (& thus the current Church). This will not be a quiet pontificate.
Oh, and one other thing, in case nobody else has noticed, today May 8 is the traditional feast of the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel on Mount Gargano. Could it be just an otherwise fitting coincidence to have our next pope Leo elected right on this day?
Will he consecrate Russia?
> But what about his SHOES?????
For walking together in synodal bliss, it is essential to have a good pair of sneakers.
My initial, perhaps, cynical reaction: This is a geo-political move. No Trump, no American pope. As for the traditional vestments, he pretty much needed to wear them; otherwise, regardless of name, it would have announced Francis II. Instant battle lines. If he is serious about unity, choosing a name unrelated to any recent Pope was a good move. Although an American, he has a Peruvian passport, so a second South American. Augustinians have the general reputation of being sound and sane. I hope he’s not an outlier. We’ll wait and see. All in all, not looking good.
women and men
Given the current climate, I took this as a positive. He only listed two genders.
Our Bishop, who’s President of the CCCB and has met and spoken with our new Pope back when he was a cardinal, gave a press conference and the gist I’m getting is he’s not like Pope Francis. He thinks before he speaks, he listens to understand before speaking, off the cuff speaking isn’t his style.
Give the man a chance! I have no idea what kind of pope Leo XIV will be; I really do not want to pre-judge him. Our Lord told us that “by their fruits you shall know them”. With a bit of patience, let us wait and see his “fruits”. (It’s not as if I, a lowly layman, can do much about it anyway.) Meanwhile, I will pray for him and the Church.
One thing that hasn’t been commented on is his age – he was born in September 1955 which makes him 69, relatively young by papal standards. So he could be Pope for a long time.
I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I am just glad we did not get Francis II.
Synodal . . . Dialogue . . . Another creature of Vatican II.
One of my first impressions was that while he has a doctorate in Canon Law, his theology studies ended with his M.Div.
So he is more an administrator than a theologian, and spent most of his time outside Rome. It will be interesting to see who he looks to for theological matters. Personnel is policy.
Ending his studies with an M.Div. is not the worst thing in the world. Doubly so when you consider the academic environments in which he would have been at that time.
I know I need to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that smirk just reminds me too much of a certain losing presidential candidate.
A translation of Pope Leo’s first sermon, at Mass with the Cardinals after his election, was published today by Rorate Coeli. It is very promising – completely orthodox, and centered on Christ and proclaiming the Gospel. I believe it is a good sign.
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2025/05/inaugural-sermon-of-leo-xiv-sistine.html#more
In the ABC interview with his brother (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjnxt5mZ1Uc&ab_channel=ABCNews), the brother said that he knew about two days after Pope Francis died that his brother was among the “top three” “in line” for the papacy. So it would seem that his election was no great surprise to Leo XIV and that he had already prepared notes for his talk on the Loggia and his homily for this morning, which I have to say I think is outstanding. He showed much confidence walking to the Loggia and then in his talk thanked the Cardinals for electing him, which strikes me as a bit strange.
I’ve been praying to St. Paul for a radical conversion of our pontiff’s heart and mind. He could be an wonderful pope.
The brother recounts that a neighbor had said of his brother, when he was in 1st grade, that he would become the first American pope.
As for what the dear Patrick-K wrote, the fact that we (quite understandably) cannot hear certain expressions any-more doesn’t make what they stand for untrue. It doesn’t even mean that if one person (in whichever position) uses them once it would be out of balance. Even if he does not use an “I know you can’t hear that any-more but still in itself it is true that” disclaimer.
I too had this stomach reaction to “synodality” (not really to the others), but then it was of course kind-of clear what the Pope said there and why he used the word. It is, plainly and obviously, a nod to Pope Francis to whom this idea (if not really the actual thing, upon close inspection) was very dear. Now, you might say, I do not really like that the Pope nods to his predecessor either; after all hurt the predecessor gave us. Fine; but it has been noted that Popes nod to their predecessors. If you’d expect him not to, seriously, what do you expect?
Pope Francis’s pontificate hopefully had the lasting effect that we won’t ever trust too much into princes-of-the-Church again (at least we who were alive during it). But that being said, I’m feeling at home more now than I have ever had during Pope Francis’s pontificate (with perhaps a tiny number of exceptions which to list is not the point here), and he won me over for that by two things:
1. his choice of name, not because I predicted it but it gave a bit of reassurance – especially after I later heard that he was rumoured to be progressive, etc. (whatever that means). Of course he couldn’t really have called himself Francis II or use a new name, just as little as he could really have copied the no-mozetta-no-stola style of his predecessor. But he could have called himself Paul VII or even more uncontroversially John XXIV, and he didn’t. For a supposed progressive to prefer Leo XIV is… winning-over.
2. and especially: His allusion to the Supplica to our Lady of the Rosary Pompeii. To talk about our Lady is (and should be) standard, but that specific sort of thing one just doesn’t know if one isn’t a faithful orthodox Catholic (and not often not even if you are).
Of course, that was before his sermon this morning, which is exemplary.
– What I also like is that, both yesterday and today in the sermon, he gave off the vibe that: “Yes, papacy is a great challenge, and I tremble a bit; but also, I like the fact that I am Pope now also a bit. And whatever about me, certainly the Papacy itself really is an important thing, so it’s legitimate if this speech and this sermon is a bit about it.” I have to admit that this mixture, which to me is somewhat unknown (I was not alive during the beginning of Pope St. John Paul II’s pontificate), has a rather refreshing feeling towards it.
Séamas: I laughed.
If things continue going in the right direction, one thing on my wish list is for Pope Leo XIV to finally move back into the Apostolic Palace and occupy those top windows overlooking the square, just as Benedict XVI, John Paul II and many others before him did. I miss seeing the illuminated windows at night while walking through the square. With “humble” and “simple” Francis choosing to live in Santa Marta, he ended up living away, secluded from the flock, and the square felt so empty seeing those papal bedroom windows overseeing the square completely dark. Then again, maybe the windows were dark because there really wasn’t a pope, but that’s beside the point.
Whatever you all think of Jimmy Akin on EWTN Radio, he had an interesting observation: when John Paul II and Benedict first stepped out on the balcony, they looked confident and happy and knew exactly what they wanted to say. Francis, on the other hand, gave off a deer in the headlights vibe and was silent for quite some time, as if he didn’t know what to do. Leo brought back the JP II/Benedict vibe of confidence and serenity, so that sounds like a good sign, or at least better than Francis.