Italian
“Peace be with all of you!”. These were the first words spoken this evening when Pope Leo XIV, who was just elected at 6:07 pm on the fourth ballot by the Cardinal electors gathered since yesterday afternoon in the Conclave in the Sistine Chapel, appeared on the external Loggia of the Blessing of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the people and impart the Apostolic Blessing “Urbi et Orbi”.
“Beloved brothers and sisters, this is 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 into your hearts, reach your families, all people, wherever they may be, all nations, all the earth. Peace be with you! This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a peace that disarms and is disarming, humble and persevering.” The strong call for Peace: disarming, humble, and persevering.
The first American Pope in history, Robert Francis Prevost, an Augustinian father, was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent.
Pope Francis appointed him, on November 3, 2014, as apostolic administrator of the diocese of Chiclayo (Peru). He was ordained bishop on December 12, 2014, and became bishop of Chiclayo on September 26, 2015. On April 15, 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as apostolic administrator of the diocese of Callao. Since January 30, 2023, he has been prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in the Consistory of September 30, 2023, and in this capacity – until his election to the papacy – he was Cardinal Bishop of the Titular Church of the suburbicarian diocese of Albano.
Pope Leo XIV, remembering Pope Francis, said: “The Pope who blessed Rome was giving his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that morning of Easter Day. Allow me to follow up with that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God’s hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and among ourselves, let us move forward. We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge to be reached by God and His love. Help us, and then each other, to build bridges, through dialogue, through encounter, joining together to be one people always in peace. Thanks to Pope Francis!”
The call to help each other build bridges, through dialogue, through encounter. “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive like this square with open arms. Everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, and love.”
