Pope Leo XIV declares ‘I am Roman' and becomes bishop of Rome
One of the many titles that Pope Leo XIV, 69, assumed when he was elected on May 8 was bishop of Rome. He has now formally taken possession of the St. John Lateran Basilica
Pope Leo XIV declared himself a Roman on Sunday as he completed the final ceremonial steps cementing his role as the bishop of Rome.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, made history by becoming the first North American to lead the Catholic Church. He was elected in just over 24 hours by 133 cardinals from 70 countries, swiftly following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this month.
The 88-year-old has suffered health issues for several months after being admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome for treatment for bronchitis on February 14 which developed into double pneumonia. The news of his death came on April 21 just hours after the Pope blessed Easter crowds on Sunday from the Popemobile.
One of the many titles that Leo, 69, assumed when he was elected on May 8 was bishop of Rome. Given his responsibilities running the 1.4-billion strong universal Catholic Church, popes delegate the day-to-day governance of running of the diocese of Roman to a vicar.
He has now formally taken possession of the St. John Lateran Basilica, which is Rome's cathedral and seat of the diocese, with an evening Mass attended by Roman priests and faithful. He then took the popemobile for a visit to St. Mary Major, where he prayed before Pope Francis' tomb and an icon of the Virgin Mary beloved to many Roman faithful.
In his homily, Leo said he wanted to listen to them 'in order to learn, understand and decide things together.'
Sunday's ceremonies at the St. John Lateran and a stop at St. Mary Major basilicas follow Leo's visit last week to the St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica. Together with St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the four papal basilicas are the most important basilicas in the West.
Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri welcomed Leo first at the steps to City Hall, noting that his May 8 election fell during a Holy Year, an event occurring every 25 years to invite pilgrims to Rome. The city underwent two years of traffic-clogging public works projects to prepare and expects to welcome upward of 30 million people in 2025.
Leo said he felt the 'serious but passionate responsibility' to serve all Romans during the Holy Year and beyond.
Wearing his formal red papal cape Leo recalled the words he had uttered from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on the night of his election. The Augustinian pope quoted St. Augustine in saying: 'With you I am Christian, and for you, bishop. By special title, today I can say that for you and with you I am Roman!' Leo said.
The former Robert Prevost succeeded Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope. Francis died April 21 and is buried at St. Mary Major, near the icon of the Madonna.
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