Latest news with #CardinalMamberti
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hope for the growth of Catholicism in America under Pope Leo XIV
It wasn't until one afternoon a few days after Cardinal Robert Provost was elected Pope Leo XIV that I really had time to sit down and process what had just transpired in the Catholic Church. I was sitting in an Irish pub that sits on one of the busiest streets in Rome about a mile away from the Vatican. It had been my first afternoon when I didn't have an evening's work ahead of me. The only thing that was ahead of me was a newspaper that I had bought from a street vendor and a pint of Peroni. As I sat at a small table by a window in the pub, I stared at the front page of the paper which featured a smiling Pope Leo with a headline that read 'Un Americano a Roma' (an American in Rome). It finally hit me: I had just witnessed, for the first time in history, an American-born man be elected Pope. During the Conclave, all Vatican credentialed media, myself included, were positioned together on top of one of the colonnades that harbor St. Peter's Square. It gave us a beautiful vantage point allowing us to look down on the massive crowd of people in the Square while also being at eye level with the famed smoke chimney across the way. Just to our left, about 20 yards away, was the balcony which the pope commonly uses to make an address. All squeezed together at the edge of the terrace, we witnessed the white smoke billow out of the chimney. Simultaneously, the crowd below roared so loud that the colonnade shook. The roars of the crowd only got more substantial as Cardinal Mamberti came out on the balcony and proclaimed 'Habemus Papam' (we have a pope). Being a cradle Catholic and a product of the Catholic school system, I knew what that meant. As for the other Latin that Mamberti proclaimed, I was completely lost and couldn't even make out which name he stated. I continued to photograph the happenings while urgently texting Bishop Joe (Joseph Brenner), his team and members of the media back home. I suddenly felt some pats on my shoulder and saw a hand pop up in front of my face. I was startle — I thought I had maybe ruined someone's shot and was about to get smacked in the face over it. To my surprise, the hand that was in my face was being offered to me as a high five. The Italian journalists I had been surrounded by all started uttering 'Americano.' I was a little confused at first and thought, 'maybe they just realized I'm American.' Then the guy who gave me the high five said in broken English, 'the Pope is from your America, Provost.' That was how I found out who the newly elected pope. To be honest, I was surprised by the enthusiasm in which the foreign media had for a pope from America. We eagerly awaited as Pope Leo IX made his first appearance on that balcony and addressed the crowd. As I could sense his address drawing to a close, I was calculating how many Zoom calls I would need to jump on with journalists from the Central Valley. I was also calculating how much time it would take me to get back to a media room in which I could facilitate the calls. Before leaving the terrace of the colonnade, I put my phone in my suit jacket, stood toward the back of the media crowd and, for just a moment, let it all sink in. I felt immense pride in my Catholic faith and to be an American. Sitting at the pub, I contemplated what this newly elected pope meant for the Catholic Church. I am excited for Pope Leo's papacy, and we are already seeing that many younger Americans are also excited — or, at the very least, showing interest in who he is. Since his election, we have seen interviews where his brothers refer to him as 'Rob,' we have established that he is a Chicago White Sox fan and TikTok has had some pretty entertaining Pope Leo content. I had the honor to attend Pope Leo's first press conference. I sat four rows back from the front and got to see his expressions as he spoke. The press conference in which he kicked off with a dad joke had a lot of highlights, including when he said that 'communication creates culture.' The profoundness of that statement is simple yet impactful. He's acknowledging that his communication — what he says and how he says it — will affect not only how the Catholic Church manifests, but also how the spiritual intellect of the people will develop. It is not breaking news that the Catholic Church in America has been pondering how the church will look in the future. It is a church that is working on garnering appreciation and trust from younger generations. I have managed strategic communications for two different dioceses and two different bishops in a span of almost seven years. When it comes to bringing people into or closer to the faith, I have seen the church most successful when we can do two things: humanize the church's teachings and the people who teach them, and meet people where they're at. We all know that it is easier to obtain guidance from someone we trust or relate to. This is not to say that we couldn't trust or relate to previous popes, as they were all benevolent and trustworthy through their pastoral leadership. However, regarding the Catholic Church in America, I anticipate Pope Leo having an advantage in quickly resonating with the people due to our shared nationality. I have already had people of different faiths — and even of no faith — reach out to me and initiate conversations about Pope Leo and the church. The interviews with his brothers, the dad jokes and seeing him try to use FaceTime have already made him relatable. When I've seen this type of Pope Leo content, it instantly reminds me of my grandparents or a great uncle. It makes me and others want to see and learn more of him because we can see a glimpse of our lives in his. This sense of relatability and meeting Americans where they're at will undoubtedly have an impact on the growth of Catholicism in our nation. It shows us that we can be human and, at the same time, be a part of a discipline of faith. To add to this anticipation of growth, you also must take into account the clergy members (deacons, priests and bishops) that serve us in our communities and how they'll take his lead in this style of evangelization. As for Catholicism in the Central Valley, I know first-hand that we have a bishop and many clergy that see the importance of relatability and meeting people where they're at. Whether that be social media or among the marginalized. We are also led by a body of priests, including our bishops, who know the value of humility and continue to be vulnerable in an effort to better reach their flocks. I know from my discussions with Bishop Brennan that he is excited for this new chapter under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV. On behalf of the bishop and the Diocese of Fresno, I ask that you join us in praying for Pope Leo and the growth of the Catholic faith in and beyond our beautiful country. Chandler Marquez is director of communications for the Diocese of Fresno.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Pope Leo XIV: Vatican sleuths are busy as new Pope takes the reigns
The Vatican press corps is watching Leo XIV very closely for clues to the kind of pope he plans to detective work began even before he appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica to greet the people of Rome and the Cardinal Dominique Mamberti revealed that the new pope would take the name Leo XIV, that was the first clue to be he chosen to be Francis II, the meaning would have be clear: he would be a continuity pope — 'Francis 2.0'. But by calling himself Leo, the Pope was reaching back to an older tradition — to the Catholic social teaching associated with the last Leo's great encyclical, Rerum Novarum (1891), which addressed the emerging challenges of social and economic if this Leo lives as long as the last Leo, he will be keeping papal detectives busy for the next 23 years. The Vatican sleuths then got to work on the next clue — how the Pope was dressed when he appeared on the central loggia of St Peter' Pope Francis, who wore a simple white cassock, Pope Leo opted for the more traditional papal there he was, wearing a red mozzetta, with a papal stole, and, under that, a white rochet and his white papal cassock. Traditionalists were quick to celebrate, seeing in that attire an early sign that the new pope may break from the progressiveness of his immediate predecessor.I saw something different. Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo, is known to be a liturgical centrist. But he is also known to be progressive on issues of social and economic of him as 'Francis 1.5'. He is also known to be a peacemaker, a quietly impressive diplomat with a missionary focus.I suspect this new pope, who dressed like Benedict on that balcony but sounded like Francis when he spoke, will find ways to reach out to the various factions of the divided Catholic world in an effort to bring them closer may even decide to relax some of the controversial restrictions imposed by Pope Francis on the use of the Traditional Latin the new pope's commitment to his predecessor's principal legacy seems clear to most. It was on display on Friday, when the Pope addressed cardinals at a Mass in the Sistine one point, he spoke in English, encouraging the cardinals to walk with him in their new ministry together — that "walking together" was a nod to the last Pope's ambition to build a "synodal" church, one where every voice matters - not just the bishops' voices - in deliberating and shaping the Church's sleuthing will continue at noon on Sunday in Rome, when the Pope leads his first Regina Caeli, a Marian prayer often recited during popes have led that prayer, just as they have recited the Angelus, from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace. Pope Leo has decided to sidestep that convention and preside from the balcony of St Peter' can expect all kinds of claims and counter-claims, some of them utterly implausible, about what that papal choreography tells us about his approach to Catholic liturgy and the future of the clues to look out for? Well, we still don't know where Pope Leo will live. He's been staying at his apartment in the Palazzo Sant'Uffizio, the headquarters of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. That's where Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, had his offices when he led that powerful Vatican Pope Leo follow Francis's example and live in Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse, queuing for breakfast with a tray in his hands? Or will he move to the historic papal residence in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter's Square?I wouldn't be surprised if it's the latter. But, as with the papal attire on the balcony, I wouldn't read too much into that would be a gesture that pleases many traditionalists, who wish to emphasise the centrality and uniqueness of the papal office, but Pope Leo clearly wishes to be judged not by how he dresses or where he lives, but by what he says and does in the world beyond the rather cryptic lexicon on Vatican reporters across the world are currently interrogating every aspect of the new Pope's life; every decision he took, or didn't take, as a priest and bishop; every homily, every tweet, every be looking for papal scoops, of course — every historical quote on issues ranging from the role of women in the church to LGBTQ+ rights is a potential problem for Vatican officials. And then there are those online criticisms of the US vice-president JD Vance, re-posted by then-Cardinal Prevost last year. How might that affect relations between the president and the papacy?A week from today, on Sunday 18 May, the new Pope will be formally installed in St Peter's Square with a Mass for the beginning of his pontificate. International delegations will be invited, and we'll see if Donald Trump decides to be present to celebrate the first Pope from the United if the past few days tell us anything, he would be attending the installation of a former Peruvian bishop who sees himself as the second Latin American Pope.
New York Times
10-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
How Front Pages Around the World Covered the Selection of Pope Leo XIV
Newspapers around the world on Friday covered the election of a new pope, Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV, with big photos, plays on words and nods to his nationalities. Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, made history as the first North American pope, and plenty of tabloids and broadsheets played up his background as an American. Many newspapers used the Latin phrase 'Habemus papam,' which means 'We have a pope.' For English newspapers, it was a rare appearance of a foreign phrase in a headline. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti of France used that phrase, prompting cheers, after he emerged on the papal balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to introduce the new pope. Overwhelmingly, newspapers ran with images of Leo XIV as he greeted the world as pope for the first time, waving to crowds from the papal balcony. L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, which is in Italian, had a full-page spread with a Latin headline that translated to: 'We have a Pope. Robert Francis Prevost who gave himself the name Leo XIV.' Many foreign outlets highlighted Pope Leo XIV's American roots. The Irish Daily Mirror led with 'Let U.S. Pray' and Le Temps, a Swiss French-language newspaper, went with 'HabemUS Papam.' The Sun, a British tabloid, declared 'God Bless American.' Newspapers in Chicago highlighted the pope, who grew up in Dolton, Ill., a Chicago suburb, as a hometown hero. The Chicago Tribune claimed Pope Leo XIV for the city, writing 'Chicago's pope.' The front page of The Chicago Sun-Times read 'DA POPE!' in a cheeky allusion to the Chicago Bears, the football team nicknamed by fans as 'Da Bears.' The Philadelphia Inquirer, which carried the headline 'An American Pope,' was quick to note in a subhead that Pope Leo XIV is an alumnus of Villanova University, the Catholic school based in a Philadelphia suburb. While Corriere della Sera of Milan said 'Il Papa americano,' Peru's Correo proclaimed 'UN PAPA PERUANO.' Though Pope Leo XIV is not of Peruvian birth, some in the country have claimed him as one of their own. He lived in Peru as a missionary for many years, before serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, a city in northern Peru, from 2015 to 2023. El Mercurio, a Chilean newspaper, compromised in its headline, calling Pope Leo XIV both Peruvian and American. (He is a dual citizen.) Some newspapers decided to lead with the pope's papal name instead of his background or nationality. Plenty of outlets, from Diário de Notícias in Portugal and Libération in France, had headlines that said 'Leo.' These outlets chose to publish a more pious posture, picturing Pope Leo XIV with his hands clasped in prayer. Others quoted Pope Leo XIV's first message as the leader of the Catholic Church: ''Peace be with you,'' read The San Francisco Chronicle headline.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Donald Trump reacts to election of first-ever American Pope
Donald Trump has shared his congratulations to the new Pope - who is the first American to hold the papacy. The 78-year-old American President was thrilled to learn that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was named the leader of the Catholic Church. Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Thursday, the President wrote, "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope." He added, "What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment." Cardinal Prevost will now be known as Pope Leo XIV, and is the 267th man to hold the title - and the first to be an American national. Pope Leo XIV takes over as leader of the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away aged 88 on 21 April after 12 years in the role. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced the news on Thursday, telling a cheering crowd outside the Vatican, "Habemus Papam", meaning "we have a pope". Addressing the crowds in Italian himself, 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV said the late Pope Francis was always "courageous and blessed Rome. "The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning. Together we must try to find out how to be a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue and is open to receives everybody. "Let us follow up that blessing. God loves us and God loves all of you. Sin will not prevail, we are all in the hands of God."
Forbes
08-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Full Transcript: Pope Leo XIV's First Speech
The Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost addressed a crowd outside St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, shortly after he was elected the first American to lead the Catholic Church as Pope Leo XIV. Prevost, who received a two-thirds majority vote to be elected pope and took the papal name Leo XIV, was introduced by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to cheers of 'Long live the pope!' Leo XIV, 69, is a Chicago native and most recently served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America under Pope Francis. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here. (Translated from Italian courtesy of the Vatican) 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. (Translated from 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. (Translated from 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 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. Who Is Robert Francis Prevost? What We Know About Pope Leo XIV—The First American Pope. (Forbes) First American Pope Named: Robert Francis Prevost Elected As Pope Leo XIV (Forbes)
