Canadian bishops welcome new pope, Leo XIV
The president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says he is looking forward to working with the new pope.
William McGrattan told reporters at an Edmonton church that he has met Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the name Leo XIV, a few times.
He says the new pontiff is a sensitive, quiet, humble person who listens before speaking.
The 69-year-old is the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. McGrattan says his appointment feels prophetic, with America dealing with social issues that have global impacts.
He hopes Americans will be open to the new pope’s “voice of truth.”
The new Pope appears
A cardinal appeared at the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony about 7:15 p.m. CEST to announce the newest pope.
In his first appearance from the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, Pope Leo spoke of peace and the need for acting charitably during troubled times. He also expressed a wish for “peace for all people” and spoke of God’s “unconditional love.” The latter might be taken as a sign he will continue the embrace of LGBT and divorced people shown by Pope Francis.
The passion he holds for this message of charity was noticeable in his voice and face as he spoke.
Who is Robert Francis Prevost?
While American, Leo XIV spent much of his career in Peru. And at a time when there has been dissatisfaction among some American Catholics who objected to Pope Francis’s progressive reforms, Leo XIV seems to be committed to continuing with those changes. He was appointed a cardinal by Francis in February.
Prevost was born on Sept. 14, 1955 in Chicago. He has a degree in mathematics from Villanova University. When he entered the seminary, he joined the Order of St. Augustine, a Catholic order founded in the 13th century. Augustinians are known for combining education with parish ministry.
He was ordained as a priest in 1982.
He received a master of divinity degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, then a licentiate of canon law in 1985 and a doctor of canon law degree in 1987 from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Between 1985 and 1986, Prevost served as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas in Peru before returning to the United States.
When he returned to Peru in 1988, he became head of the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and also taught canon law. He also directed a parish in the poor suburbs of the city.
He served in Peru for 10 years before returning to Chicago in 1999, having been elected principal of the Augustinian Province of Chicago. Starting in 2001, Prevost served two six-year terms as a senior official with the Augustinians.
After that, he returned to Peru, and was appointed bishop of Chiclayo a city in Peru’s north.
Peruvians were elated on Thursday after Pope Leo was elected. They see him as one of their own. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru. This makes him the first pope from both countries.
In Peru’s capital, Lima, the bells of the cathedral rang after Prevost was announced as Pope Francis’ successor.
“For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,” said elementary school teacher Isabel Panez, who was near the cathedral when the news was announced. “We would like him to visit us here in Peru.”
After his time in Peru, he was made Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis. The Dicastery is the department of the church that selects new bishops worldwide.
Elected on day two of Conclave
Prevost was elected pope on the second day of the Conclave.
“They wanted someone who shared (Pope Francis’s) commitment to synodality and focus on the world’s poor. With Prevost, a mild-mannered man, they also voted for fewer surprises and a steadier hand at the wheel of governance, someone with experience of the Vatican curia but not a creature of that curia,” the National Catholic Register reported .
Trump congratulates new pope: ‘What a great honour for our country’
U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the news in a post on Truth Socia l. He pointed out that Prevost was the first American pope to be elected.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honour to realize that he is the first American Pope,” wrote Trump on Thursday afternoon. “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) May 8, 2025
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney about an hour prior to the announcement, alerting the crowd of faithful Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the College of Cardinals have elected a new pope.
It came on the second day of voting and the fourth vote. The Cardinals reached the two-third majority required to elevate one of their ranks to be head of the church.
The gathered crowd cheered in elation as the smoke rose on a beautiful Thursday evening in Rome. Flags from all over the world were evident among them, including Canada’s.
— With files from Tyler Dawson and Courtney Greenberg
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