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West Australian
12-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Local clergy in Geraldton reflects on arrival of new Catholic Church leader, Pope Leo XIV
After a busy past week for the Catholic Church with a new leader chosen, Geraldton's faithful have now had time to take measure of their new Pope. It took three votes over two days late last week for the 133 cardinals in the conclave to choose Robert Prevost to be the 267th head of the Catholic Church The first American pope, 69-year-old Chicago-born Prevost has taken the name Pope Leo XIV. His leadership will shape the global church, and his election has already sparked reflection among local clergy. Father Robert Cross, of the Geraldton diocese, said: 'It's always exciting when somebody new appears on the scene, and everyone will be looking intently to see which way he takes the church into the next period of time. 'I think that the cardinals have chosen a man that's a bit more moderate, in the sense that Pope Francis could be a little controversial. 'The cardinals in the conclave were mindful of that in electing someone with a canon law background, he will be versed in church law and be rather circumspect with what he says and the way he presents the church's teachings.' Fr Cross said a pope's choice of their papal name was often inspired by a predecessor. 'Often the name is indicative, modelling on a papacy that's gone before. In this case he's chosen Leo,' he said. Pope Leo XIII, who led the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903, was noted for a document called 'Rerum novarum', which addressed the struggles of the working class and challenges to society during the Industrial Revolution. The document is considered the cornerstone of modern Catholic social teaching, advocating for a just society founded on Christian principles. Pope Leo XIV has identified the modern industrial revolution of artificial intelligence as the new challenge facing humanity. 'It is such a seminal document, not just for the church, but for the world. That's what the Pope does. He speaks up and presents a different angle on some of the politics and discussions that are going on around the world,' Fr Cross said.
NDTV
11-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Pope Leo XIV Reveals How AI Helped Choose His Papal Name
In his first formal address as the pontiff, Pope Leo XIV revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) not only shaped his thinking but also his choice of papal name. The Chicago-born Augustinian missionary, Robert Prevost, was elected on Thursday (May 8) afternoon after a two-thirds majority vote from the cardinals. In an address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV explained that his name references Pope Leo XIII, who presided over the church between 1878 and 1903-- at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. The new pope drew parallels between the rapid industrialisation of the 19th century and today's surge in AI. "I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution," said the pope, according to the Vatican's translation of his speech. The original Rerum novarum, issued in 1891, addressed the rights of workers amid the upheavals of the industrial age. Perils of AI The pope also highlighted the perils of AI, adding that society must confront the ethical challenges of today's technological era. "In our own day, the church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour," he said. The pope's comment comes in the backdrop of the US President Donald Trump posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pontiff, joking he would like the job. Notably, Pope Leo's predecessor, the late Pope Francis, frequently talked about potential benefits and risks associated with the novel technology. In 2023, Pope Francis became a victim of AI-driven forgery when an image of him in a white designer puffer jacket went viral on social media. Reacting to the incident, he cautioned about doctored images that 'appear perfectly plausible but false". Pope Leo XIV will be formally installed as pope on May 18, 2025, in St. Peter's Square, marking the beginning of his papacy.
Herald Malaysia
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV and the possible direction of his papacy
We have a pope who will build on what Pope Francis has initiated regarding the Church's synodality May 10, 2025 A priest speaks next to an image of Robert Francis Prevost, who became Pope Leo XIV on May 8, in front of the cathedral of Chiclayo in northern Peru on the day of his election as the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff. (Photo: AFP) By Ruben C. Mendoza As white smoke came out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, people gathered in St. Peter's Square erupted into applause. It was the signal that the cardinal electors in the conclave had just elected the next bishop of Rome. Even though I was only watching the unfolding events on television, I noticed palpable excitement among the people eagerly awaiting the new pope. After about an hour of waiting, the balcony curtains at St. Peter's Basilica were parted and its doors opened. The protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, exclaimed, 'Habemus papam.' Several seconds later, Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) came out with a smile. He stood there silently, visibly emotional, waving to the crowd and acknowledging their cheers. That Prevost chose the name Leo appears to point to where his heart is. The last pope named Leo, Leo XIII, issued the first social encyclical, Rerum novarum , in 1891. In it, he argued for the rights and duties of workers in the context of the Industrial Revolution, including the right to work, the right to a just wage, and the right to form unions. Nobody expected the Church at that time to do that. While there has been no explanation for the choice of that name, I write this piece assuming that he had Leo XIII in mind. It is safe to say that a hallmark of his papacy will be the Catholic social tradition, teachings which, in my view, the world sorely needs to realize. As a colleague wrote in Messenger, 'I am hopeful for the spirit of Rerum novarum .' It is significant for me that Leo XIV's first words were, 'Peace be with all of you.' He went on to refer to Pope Francis's Urbi et Orbi 2025 speech, in which the departed pope called for peace in the world's conflict areas—Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Congo, and Sudan, among others. In his speech, Leo XIV said he would walk with the people 'as one united Church, always seeking peace and justice.' It is not far-fetched that the work for peace will be one of his top priorities, a theme in the Catholic social tradition with more room for development. Based on his first speech, Pope Leo XIV will likely continue Pope Francis's program. Before the conclave, he was identified as sharing many of his predecessor's views. Listening to Pope Leo XIV's speech, one notices that the themes of bridge-building, dialogue, and inclusivity will characterize his pontificate, all of which were important for Pope Francis. For example, Pope Leo XIV said, 'We must strive to be a missionary Church, one that builds bridges, embraces dialogue, and welcomes all with open arms. Let our presence be one of charity and communion, rooted in love.' Pope Francis made similar assertions about becoming a missionary church. For him, a church is 'not a static church, but a missionary church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world.' Not only is the church to walk 'through the streets,' but Pope Francis called on the Christian community to become a 'field hospital' — a church that is close to the people and is a source of the healing of the world's wounds. Moreover, Pope Francis envisioned a Catholic Church that always has its doors open 'to make others feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged.' So, it appears that inclusivity is an important characteristic of the Church for both popes. Pope Leo XIV also stated in that same speech, 'To all the faithful in Rome, throughout Italy, and across the world: we must be a synodal Church that walks together, that seeks peace, charity, and draws near to those who suffer.' I breathed a sigh of relief when he said those words, since I was afraid that the new pope would abandon Pope Francis' dream of a synodal Church. The path to synodality has only just begun and it will be so easy to change that course. I am glad that Pope Leo XIV is a pope who will build on Pope Francis's initiatives regarding the Church's synodality. It is a challenge for the Church, particularly if it is to be renewed by the Spirit, to truly listen to its members, particularly to the voices of those who are different and are bothered by Church members themselves. Synodality demands a more active voice and participation from all its members as they work together to build up the Christian community and serve as a leaven in the world. The fact that Pope Leo XIV did missionary work in Peru may prove critical to his sensitivity to the pastoral issues and concerns of the Global South. We need a pope who truly knows the problems encountered by those on the peripheries of society, an awareness that was present in Pope Francis. I hope that his pastoral experiences in Peru have formed him enough to truly be in solidarity with the vulnerable among us, always having their best interests in his heart. Today marks the beginning of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate. We can only say so much based on what happened on that balcony. Nevertheless, a new pope offers another fresh start for the Church. As he continues Pope Francis' agenda, I hope that the support of the People of God and with God's grace, Pope Leo XIV will be a faithful instrument of God's peace and justice in today's
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Did Pope Leo XIV Choose That Name? Historically Speaking, It Makes Total Sense
In 533, a Roman named Mercurius took the first symbolic papal name out of transparent necessity. Named after Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, the newly-elected pope didn't think it wise to keep his pagan-inspired name. So, he became John II instead. Fifteen centuries later, name selection remains one of the most intriguing facets of a papal election. Cardinal Robert Prevost continued that tradition on Thursday, officially becoming Pope Leo XIV after his ascension to the role via the fourth vote of a conclave. Leo is now the fourth-most common papal name in history along with Clement. The only more popular names are John, Benedict, and Gregory. While the 69-year-old hasn't confirmed his reasoning, there are some hints from his predecessors that explain why choosing Leo makes sense. The historic line of Leos started with Leo the Great, who served as pope from 440 to 461. He not only helped define a key tenet of church doctrine but might have saved countless lives. Historical accounts suggest Leo was the key figure of a peace negotiation with Attila the Hun in 452. According to a writer named Prosper the Aquitane, Leo directly confronted the notorious warrior and convinced him to keep withdraw his army from its invasion of Italy. 'And the outcome was what his faith had foreseen; for when the king had received the embassy, he was so impressed by the presence of the high priest that he ordered his army to give up warfare and, after he had promised peace, he departed beyond the Danube,' Prosper wrote, according to Fordham University. The name Leo might suggest the new pope could 'stand up to oppressive political forces in the world,' according to CBS News correspondent Candida Moss. Leo the Great also built a reputation as an intellectual and theologian. He wrote the Tome of Leo, a letter outlining the tenet that Jesus Christ was both a fully human and fully divine figure. 'Our new pope has a doctorate in canon law, so we might expect that he too is going to clarify the church's teachings on central issues,' Moss said. However, the likelier inspiration for the new pontiff lies in much more recent history. Prevost is 'hands down' signaling a connection to Pope Leo XIII with his name choice, Dr. Michael Pasquier, a professor of Christian studies at Louisiana State University, told Leo XIII held the papacy from 1878 to 1903 and is known for the 1891 encyclical 'Rerum novarum,' or 'Of revolutionary change.' The letter critiques socialism and unrestricted capitalism, prioritizes the rights of workers and the needs of the poor, and reaffirms the Catholic Church's purpose of working toward justice and dignity for everyone. The tenets in Leo XIII's letter formed a basis for the modern understanding of Catholic social teaching. 'That encyclical was the pope's way of saying the church is in the world, and it bears a responsibility to manifest the gospel message that Jesus provided,' Pasquier explains. 'And Jesus was a person that went out of his way to care for the marginalized.' In his previous roles, Leo XIV has shown a similar affinity for confronting social issues—including championing the poor and migrants. He has publicly criticized U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump through social media. This also reinforces some of the ideals of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, the Italian friar known for his vision of 'a Church which is poor and for the poor.' Pasquier says that Leo XIV's opening address to worshippers offered another valuable clue. The pontiff concluded his remarks Thursday from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with a prayer to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus according to church doctrine. Devotion to Mary was another characteristic of Leo XIII's leadership. Two other themes from the address were an emphasis on forging peace amid global conflicts and the image of Catholicism as a 'missionary church,' or taking an aggressive approach to outreach, Pasquier said. The Chicago-born pontiff has a personal history of missionary work. Much of his early ministry took place in Peru. He joined the country's Augustinian mission in 1985 and, while in the country, oversaw the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and taught canon law before returning to Chicago in 1999. No matter what his first actions as pope might be, Leo XIV's unlikely election—he is the first pope born in the United States and only the second from the Americas—has generated even greater interest in an already world-altering event. So while we don't know the direct inspiration for the Leo XIV quite yet, it's likely we'll find out very soon. 'We're going to know this pope like we've never known a pope,' Pasquier said. You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Chooses Papal Name with a Long History. What That Could Mean
On Thursday, May 8, the new pope was introduced as Pope Leo XIV Choosing a new name upon being elected pope is a longstanding tradition, dating back to the first pope, St. Peter — whose baptismal name was Simon Taking the name of Leo XIV is a clear signal, at least to me, that this guy wants to put moral questions and moral leadership at the center of what the Pope is doing," one expert tells PEOPLE The 267th pope has chosen his new name: Pope Leo XIV. Born with his baptismal name of Robert Francis Prevost, his papal name is more of a traditional choice — and one with a storied history. The first of the name, Pope Leo I, was elected in 440 and sought to secure the unity of the Church during immense conflict. The most recent pope with that moniker, Pope Leo XIII, was head of the Church from 1878 until 1903, and was a force of connection as the Church navigated relationships with civil governments — and was less opposed to scientific progress, according to Additionally, he was seen as being a "great champion of the poor," Dr. Charles Gillespie — a Catholic studies professor at Sacred Heart University, tells PEOPLE. Leo XIII was also known for writing an encyclical called "Rerum novarum," which translates "The New Things" — and Gillespie says that inaugurated what is called "Catholic social teaching." "Taking the name of Leo XIV is a clear signal, at least to me, that this guy wants to put moral questions and moral leadership at the center of what the Pope is doing as the leader of Catholics, but also as a thought leader for the world, also a champion for the poor and the underrepresented," the expert explains. "I think that's a theme from Pope Francis we're going to see continued by Robert Prevost," Gillespie adds. "He also had the job of appointing and helping Pope Francis select the bishops of the world. So he was the person that Pope Francis chose to put in charge of putting the kind of leaders he wanted to see in his church around the globe." Dr. William T. Cavanaugh, a professor at DePaul University, also found it "interesting" that the name Leo was selected, and believes it may speak volumes about the importance the new pope may put on Catholic social teaching. Cavanaugh also says Leo XIII "was also a big promoter of the work of Thomas Aquinas," a Scholastic thinker from the 11th century, "which indicates a certain kind of openness to other intellectual currents." "Aquinas was famous for incorporating Aristotelian thought into Christian thought," he explains. "And so those are some possible directions that the name indicates." Adopting a new name as pope is a "longstanding tradition" that dates back to St. Peter, the very first pope, whose baptismal name was Simon, per the Vatican. Although some of the earliest popes chose not to change their names, in recent history, most have taken part in the time-honored tradition. According to the Vatican, the most popular pope names in history have been John, Gregory, Benedict and Pius, as well as recurrent names Clement, Innocent, Paul and Leo, A pope has never chosen the name Peter — the first pope and a truly untouchable Catholic figure — nor has any pope claimed James or Andrew (two disciples), nor Joseph (earthly father of Jesus) or Luke (author one of four gospels). As for how they decide on names, the Vatican explained that pontiffs "often chose the names of their immediate or distant predecessors out of respect, admiration, or recognition to mark continuity, but also different names to mark innovation." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Andrea Gagliarducci, a Vatican journalist, tells PEOPLE that Pope Leo XIV is, to her knowledge, "a very pragmatic person." "It shows the name Leo, which is interesting because it marks a discontinuity not only with Pope Francis but with all the last centuries Pope, which means that there is a fresh start," she explains. Such was the case with Pope Francis — there had been no pope by that name before him. Francis — born Jorge Bergoglio — chose his name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, who like the late pontiff, led a life marked by helping disenfranchised people. Francis's papal name did initially spark controversy, though, as some saw the move as a disregard for precedent, while others saw the move as a reflection of a shift in the Catholic church. -- additional reporting by Alina Trabattoni Read the original article on People
