Monday, May 19, 2025
Cardinals in the Vatican have selected Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, who has adopted the papal name Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the United States.
The conclave, comprising of 133 cardinal electors, reached the required two-thirds majority in just over a day, signaling their decsion with the tradional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 8.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, and received a bachelor's degree from Villanova University. A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he took his first vows in 1978 and his solemn vows in 1981. He earned a masters degree in divinity in 1982 from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
He has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming a naturalized Peruvian citizen and serving as Archbishop of Chiclayo. In 2023, he was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, an important role in overseeing the selection of bishops around the globe.
Upon his first appearance as pope on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the thousands assembled with the words, "Peace be with you" in Italian and Spanish.
AP News reported that Pope Leo XIV was formerly the leader of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue efforts toward modernization and inclusivity within the Catholic Church.
As well-wishes poured in from global and local leaders, The Most Reverend John Barres, Bishop of Rockville Centre, said: "With my brother bishops, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, I give thanks to the Almighty God for the gift of our new Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
"As the 267th Successor of Saint Peter, we pray Pope Leo XIV will receive every grace to strengthen the Church in unity and peace, preach Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and confirm the Faith.
"With years of global missionary experience in Peru and leadership in his Augustinian community here in the United States, we pray, too, that his evangelizing pastoral charity and wisdom will guide the mission of the Church he now serves as Supreme Pontiff."
County Executive Bruce Blakeman said: "Congratulations Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and proud son of Chicago. His election marks a new chapter of hope, unity and spiritual leadership for Catholics around the world.
"As we celebrate this milestone, we pray for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his sacred mission to guide the Church with wisdom, compassion and strength."
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who leads a youth group at St. Pius X RC Church in Plainview, said "Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. As he begins this sacred journey, we pray his leadership brings renewed hope, unity and faith to Catholics around the world."
St. Raphael Parish in East Meadow wrote on Facebook, "We have a Pope! All glory and gratitude to God as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American missionary from Chicago, is elected to successor to St. Peter, now as Pope Leo XIV. May God bless and guide our first American pope!"
More to follow.
