Religious leaders throughout the globe, as well as those based in Cincinnati, are rejoicing over the selection of a new pontiff.
Robert Prevost
A missionary who dedicated his career to serving in Peru and heads the influential Vatican department responsible for bishops, was chosen as the first American pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church.
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Prevost, who was 69 years old and belonged to the Augustinian religious community, adopted the title Leo XIV. Upon appearing on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Square, he wore the customary crimson papal cloak, which Pope Francis chose not to wear when he became pope back in 2013.
Pope Leo XIV said “Peace be with you” in his first words as pope, offering a message of peace and dialogue “without fear.”
The Archbishop of Cincinnati, Robert Casey, issued a statement to mark the occasion of the newly elected pope.
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Habemus papam!
We have a pope! Through prayerful discernment and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the Cardinals of our Church have chosen our new shepherd. This is a unifying moment in the life of the Church, reminding us of the Good Shepherd’s eternal care for His flock. Christ, who is yesterday, today, and forever, now places the care of this flock in the hands of Pope Leo XIV. With great joy and gratitude, I join the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in praying for our new Holy Father. May the Lord grant him wisdom, courage, and strength in carrying out his sacred ministry.”
Casey, who formerly held the position of Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, was officially installed as Cincinnati’s tenth Archbishop last month.
Bishop John Iffert from the Diocese of Covington addressed people about Pope Leo during his speech on Thursday evening. The Diocese plans to hold a Mass in honor of Pope Leo XIV on Monday at 6 p.m., taking place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption located in Covington.
“I think Pope Leo is going to be focusing on the dignity of the human person. I think he’s going to be focusing on the economic realities of life and how they affect individuals,” Iffert said. “And I think we should think of Pope Leo as much someone who is drawing us towards the world, as much as we should think of him as a native son of our country.”
The Diocese of Covington shares in the global joy following the election of His Eminence Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as Pope Leo XIV! We express our gratitude to God for guiding the Church through the leadership of the Papacy, just as He persistently protects, directs, and inspires His faithful followers by the might of the Holy Spirit.
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The Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Diocese of Covington rejoice over the recently chosen Pope.
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