By Amaechi Agbo

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope and has stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

He’s now known as Pope Leo XIV.

Prevost, 69, from Chicago, Illinois, is the first ever pope from the United States.

In his first words as pope, a visibly emotional Leo said to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square: “Peace be with you all.”

Born Robert Francis Prevost, the newly elected pope is 69 years old American and brings a global identity to his papacy.

Originally from the United States Of America and now a Peruvian citizen, his heritage blends French, Italian, and Spanish roots.

Known for his linguistic fluency, the new pontiff speaks seven languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, German, and Latin.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is from Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. He was born on September 14, 1955, and holds both US and Peruvian citizenship due to his extensive missionary work in Peru.

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Early Life: Born into an American family, Prevost later joined the Augustinian order and pursued a career in the priesthood

Missionary Work: Spent over two decades serving in Peru, initially as an Augustinian missionary and later as Bishop of Chiclayo

Current Role: Previously served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America before being elected as Pope Leo XIV today, May 8, 2025

Addressing the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Leo paid tribute to the late pontiff Francis, urging the crowd to remember his predecessor’s legacy before outlining his vision for the Catholic Church.

“We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,” he said. Speaking in Italian to thousands of Catholic faithful, Leo called on people to “show our charity” to others “and be in dialog with love.”

Leo was chosen just two days after a group of 133 Cardinals gathered in conclave to select a new pontiff.

That timeline matches the previous two gatherings, suggesting that Prevost quickly impressed his peers during the secretive process.

Francis and Benedict XVI were both revealed in the evening of the conclave’s second day, while John Paul II, the longest-reigning pope of modern times, was selected on the third day in 1978.

‘An exceptional leader’
A leader with global experience, Prevost spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Francis’ reforms.

Prevost worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, where he served from 2014 to 2023. In 2015, he also received Peruvian citizenship.

The new pontiff is a member of the Augustinian religious order – which he also led for more than a decade as their prior general, which has given him leadership experience of leading an order spread across the world.

Considered a highly capable and accomplished leader, Prevost most recently led the powerful Vatican office for new bishop appointments, the Dicastery for Bishops, assessing candidates and making recommendations to the late pope. He also served as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

He succeeds Pope Francis who died on April
21, 2025.

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Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88.

The Vatican confirmed that he passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time on Monday, April 21, following a lengthy battle with pneumonia and related complications.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was the first Jesuit, first Latin American, and first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years. Elected in 2013, his papacy was marked by a bold push for reform, social justice, environmental advocacy, and efforts to make the Church more inclusive.

He was known for his humility and outspokenness on global issues, including climate change, inequality, and migration. Despite health setbacks in recent years, Pope Francis made a final brief appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering a blessing to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square.

With his passing, the Catholic Church enters the traditional sede vacante period. The College of Cardinals will now prepare for a conclave to elect his successor — a decision likely shaped by Francis’ own appointments, who now make up the majority of voting cardinals.

Funeral arrangements are underway, with Vatican officials stating Pope Francis will be buried in a plain wooden casket per his wishes — forgoing traditional ornate customs.

The world now mourns a historic and transformative figure whose legacy will shape the Church for decades to come.

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A lecturer In the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT Mr Sebastine Okafor has resigned his membership of the Catholic Church.

Mr Sebastine’s resignation and denouncement of the church came after the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis approved blessing of same-sex couples by priests in the church.

Pope Francis formally approved letting Catholic priests bless same-sex couples, the Vatican announced Monday, a radical shift in policy that aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage.

Announcing his resignation in a letter made available to ESUT Monitor, the young lecturer stated that the announcement by the Church prompted him to reevaluate his identity with the church adding that even though he respects the Church’s prerogative to evolve its stance, he found myself in fundamental disagreement with the recent shift in policy.

He declared that going forward, he considers myself a full-time traditionalist, standing by the principles and values of the religion

Read his letter below;

Declaration of Resignation from Catholic Church Membership

Dear Friends,

I am writing to formally inform the general public of my decision to denounce and resign from my membership in the Catholic Church in to to.

The recent declaration by Pope Francis allowing the blessing of same-sex couples has prompted deep reflection on my part. While I respect the Church’s prerogative to evolve its stance, I find myself in fundamental disagreement with this particular shift in policy.

My association with the Catholic Church has been a significant part of my identity, but I believe it is essential to align my beliefs with an institution that better reflects my values. Therefore, I am choosing to denounce my membership and disassociate myself from any connection with the Catholic Church until such time that the Church in Nigeria clarifies its position on this matter.

This decision does not diminish the respect I hold for those with differing views or beliefs. It is a personal choice, guided by the need for consistency between my convictions and the institutions I am associated with.

Henceforth, I consider myself a full-time traditionalist, standing by my principles and values.

Thank you for your understanding, and I appreciate the support and camaraderie we have shared within the Church.

Sincerely,

Sebastine Okafor (Bookastro)

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