Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is now the Pope The 14th and from the first moment won impressions with the humility and message of peace he sent to the Catholic Christians around the world.
Pope Leo the 14th is the first Pope from the US and is considered the man to bring the American Catholics closer to the Vatican.
The 69 -year -old from Chicago is known as one religious leader with world experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and more recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishops’ appointments.
His election represents the continuation of Pope Francis’ work.
According to CNN, the first American Pope has ten unique features that make him suitable for the post:
1. He was the ‘less American’ of the American cardinals
Prevost was born in Chicago. But in the Vatican, where he finally lived and worked, he was considered the “less American” of the US cardinals.
He has worked for a decade in Trouhillo, Peru and was later appointed bishop of Tsiklagio, another city of Peru, where he served from 2014 to 2023.
He is talking fluent Spanish and Italian – Both of which showed his first speech to the public at St. Peter’s Square.
2. Pope Francis appreciated him
Pope Francis “respected him and considered him valuable,” according to CNN. “Obviously Pope Francis saw something in him – he saw him as a capable leader,” writes CNN’s correspondent in the Vatican, Christopher Lamb.
Lamb met the new Pope Leo when he was a cardinal and said he met “a very thoughtful, very measured man”.
3. He is a member of the Augustine Order
Pope Leo is a member of the August Religious Order, which is widespread worldwide. He led the Order for more than a decade as his former general.
The new Pontiff in his first message said that he was the son of St. Augustine and quoted the famous phrase of the saint: “For you, I am bishop, with you, after all, I am a Christian.”
4. Has a strong leadership experience
Pope Francis appointed Prevost as President of the Diocese of Court, who is responsible for the evaluation of the candidates for bishops and to submit recommendations for new appointments.
He has also served as chairman of the Papal Committee on Latin America.
5. Has a missionary orientation
“I still consider myself a missionary. My inclination, like any Christian, is to be a missionary, to preach the Gospel wherever one is, “Prevost had said in an interview with Vatican News shortly after taking on his first leading role in Rome.
Once in an interview he said that his time in Peru was the life experience that shaped him the most.
6. He is Peruvian citizen
Pope Leo the 14th has double nationality of the United States and Peru. Pontiff of American descent received the Peruvian citizenship in August 2015, according to the National Register of Peru.
Peru President Dina Boluarte described his election as “historic moment for Peru and the world”.
7. His papal name reflects his commitment to the poor
The last Pope named Leo, Pope Leo III, was a Pope who came to the side of the poor and defended the workers.
Leo III, who was Pope from 1878 to 1903, placed strong emphasis on workers’ rights and universal social doctrine – so choosing this name for the new Pontiff is a strong statement.
8. He is considered a center offered by the module
He agrees with Francis on the direction of the Church and the process of promoting a more inclusive world church, but is expected to lead as an independent man.
The new Pope is expected to tend more towards the progressive approach to social issues such as immigration and poverty, but to be more aligned with moderate issues of universal doctrine.
In order to secure a two -thirds majority in the Cardinal College, it should have been widely popular, even among the most moderate or conservative members.
9. He studied math in Villanova
Prevost obtained his degree in mathematics from Vilanova University in Pennsylvania and continued to receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.
He was eventually sent to Rome to study fair and later in his career he taught a fair at the Truhill Seminar in Peru.
10. He is a fan of tennis
“I consider myself quite amateur tennis player,” Prevosta said in an interview with the August Battalion shortly after he became a cardinal. “Ever since I left Peru I had a few opportunities to practice, so I’m looking forward to returning to the stadium.”
He also said that in his spare time he liked to read, walk and travel to “new and varied places”.