How about that? The first American Pope is a Navy brat! Earlier today, Robert Francis Prevost, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, was selected by the Conclave to serve as the Holy Father of the Catholic Church. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope in history. He spent much of his early career working for the Augustinians, serving in Peru from 1985-1986 and again from 1988-1998 and 2015-2023. He was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
Pope Leo XIV is the son of Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez. His father was of French and Italian descent and served in World War II. According to the Chicago Sun Times, “The cardinal was born in Chicago in September 1955. Local records detail that Robert Francis Prevost, like his older brothers, was born at Mercy Hospital at 25th Street and Prairie Avenue. His parents, then 35 and 43, had been living in a 1,200-square-foot brick house on East 141st Place in Dolton that they bought new in 1949, paying a $42 monthly mortgage. Louis Prevost was the superintendent of the south suburban schools in District 169. News clippings from 1945 show he served as a Navy lieutenant in the Mediterranean in WWII. He had graduated from the old Central Y.M.C.A. College in 1943 while living in Hyde Park. Later, the father would head Glenwood School District 167 and be the principal of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Chicago Heights, which was closed in 1990.”
In his first address to the world, Pope Leo XIV delivered remarks in English, Spanish and Italian:
Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome – the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.
Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.
Thank you Pope Francis!
Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:
We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.
[In Spanish]:
Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.
[Returning to Italian]:
To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei.
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
Hail Mary… [accompanied by the crowds in St Peter’s Square and around the world.]