“I announce to you a great joy: we have a Pope!”
Leo XIV, the first Pope born in the United States, was elected on Thursday, May 8.
As soon as white smoke began to fill the sky, a crowd rushed toward St. Peter’s Basilica. From every corner of Rome, people from countless nations awaited the announcement of the new Pontiff.
Peace and unity: two key words
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born in the United States and bishop of Peru, was announced with the name “Pope Leo XIV.”
His first words were a message of peace, “a disarming, humble, and persevering peace that comes from God, God who loves us all.”
The new pontiff also emphasized unity: “Without fear, united, hand in hand with one another and with God, let us move forward. […] Helping one another to build bridges, uniting everyone, to become one people, in peace.”
The joy of the Schoenstatt Family in the United States
The Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Milwaukee followed the announcement with joy and excitement. “The Sisters are very happy that he is an American pope, even though he has spent many years outside the United States. We believe that being American will greatly help the life of the Church here in the country,” said Sr. M. Lourdes Macías.
Mrs. Kathleen Colunga, from La Grange, Texas, international leader of the Schoenstatt Federation of Mothers, said: “I was shocked to hear the wonderful news that he had been elected. I never thought I would see this day: the first American pope. Clearly guided by the Holy Spirit, he has now become the Holy Father of the Catholic Church! Wow! His kind manner and bilingualism will lift up the entire Catholic Church throughout the world. His motto says it all: In one Christ, we are one.”
All of Schoenstatt greets the new pope
The Schoenstatt Family, in the spirit of Dilexit Ecclesiam, joyfully greets the new Pope, renewing its commitment of love and fidelity to the Church.
Leo XIV, we are with you!
Meet the new Pope
Date of birth: September 14, 1955 (69 years old)
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Nationality: United States of America
Ordained priest: June 19, 1982
Ordained bishop: December 12, 2014
Elected to the College of Cardinals: September 30, 2023
Robert Francis Prevost is the former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in 1977 and professed his solemn vows in 1981.
His academic training includes a bachelor’s degree in mathematical sciences from Villanova University in 1977, a master’s degree in theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a degree and doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
His career in the Church has been marked by important positions and achievements. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. He was elevated to diocesan bishop in 2015. There he also served as vice president and member of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference from 2018 to 2023.
