Habemus Papam — Quem Papam Habemus?

The new Pope is called Leo XIV and comes from the USA

 First thoughts by Giuseppe Nardi

1.4 billion Catholics have been waiting to find out who will be the 267th deputy of Christ on earth.  The waiting was no longer lasted than in 2013. After the fifth ballot, the new Pope of the city of Rome and the globe was presented at the time, and it was the same today.

The waiting was associated with fear for many Catholics worldwide.  Which Pope would lead the church in which direction in the coming years?

The American Augustinian Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected.  As a year in 1955, he represents a generation leap. At the age of 69, he could sit in the Petrine chair for decades.  The cardinal electors wanted to make a long -term course.

Prevost joined the Augustinian Order in 1978, for which he was ordained a priest in 1982.  In 2001 he became general of his order until he was appointed Apostolic Administrator by Chiclayo in Peru in 2014 and at the same time became a titular bishop, in 2015 the diocesan bishop of the diocese mentioned.  In 2020 he was sent by Francis in the same function in the diocese of Callao, always Peru.  In 2023 Prevost's appointment was made to Rome, where Francis promoted him to the prefect of the Dicastry of Bishops and archbishop.  In the same year he also appointed him President of the papal Latin American commission, a body that was of particular importance for Francis.  Since then Prevost has been a papabile.

 In 2024, Francis created him to the cardinal at the last consistory for cardinal selection.

In his first steps, Leo XIV tries to stand out from his predecessor as possible by chosing a papal name of a Pope who died in the distant year of 1903.  He also showed himself in the traditional liturgical robes to offer the blessing to city and the earth.  In 2013, Francis signaled the demonstrative refusal to carry the Mozzetta that he wanted to break.

Leo XIV speaks very good Italian for an American.  In 2013, an American could become a Pope, which is why, at the suggestion of Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, the US cardinals themselves got out of the race.  After twelve years of a Latin American Pope, the path became clear for an American.

Leo XIV emphasized “peace” in his first, short speech.  His first appearance on the blessing loggia of St. Peter's Basilica was surprisingly positive.

From tomorrow there are many questions in the room how the new Pontifex will ask itself on various burning questions.  What about his relationship with US President Donald Trump?  How does he plan to respond to the wars that threaten the world, whether in Eastern Europe, in the Middle East or South Asia?  How will he face the globalist elites and their agenda?

However, the Church issues are more relevant: How does Leo XIV hold with the traditional rite?  How with tradition?  How with the imposing progressive demands?

The astonishingly long address of the new Pope will be searched for keywords to find initial clues.  For example, the fact that Leo XIV spoke of justice, but never of mercy, the word that was so important to his predecessor.  He thanked him, who had raised him to the bishop and cardinal and thus paved the way to the pontificate.  Leo XIV not only spoke of peace frequently, but also made a first commitment to a "synodal Church".  You will see if it was just a courtesy gesture or actually a commitment.

Many questions that answers will take place in the coming days, months and years, but should not be speculated here.  In the first place, the judgment of the Americans is now required.

 What is certain is that Leo XIV is the first Pope from the Order of Augustin, who was previously known as an order of Augustinians, that order, in addition to many loyal sons of the Holy Church, also belonged to Martin Luther before he broke with the order and Church.

The multilingual new Pontifex gave the apostolic blessing Urbi et Orbi for the first time.

AMDG