Dear readers friendsyou already know: just 17 days after the death of Pope Francis and after a very rapid conclave with only four ballots, the church has a new pontiff, the American Robert Francis Prevostwho assumed the name of Leo XIV.
It was an intense emotion, which caught everyone by surprise, witnessing the famous white smoke which announces the election that has taken place; the trepidating, almost spasmodic wait to hear theHabemus Papam pronounced by Cardinal ProtodiaCono; The surprise of the square to see a face appear and hear a name unknown to the most and then the explosion of joy of the faithful in welcoming the Pope who will guide the Church in the coming years; The visible emotion of Leo XIV in challenging himself to Loggia of blessings; And finally the first words, instead of a simple greeting on the arm, with a fairly articulated message, written by hand, which began with the Easter wish of Christ: “Peace to you!”.
Some traits of the biography of Leone XIV hit a lot: US, born in Chicago, with Spanish, French, Italian, and ancestors even Creoli. Then the double nationality (American and Peruvian), having been several years on a mission to Chiclayo in Peru.
A solid theological training (he is canonist and has taught several theological subjects); trainer in his religious order, the Augustiniansbut also a missionary and shepherd, literally with his feet in the mud, as he portrays a photo taken while helping in the rescue for a flood in Peru; Superior general of his institute for two mandates, therefore broad international vision, but always with his feet on the ground; finally called to Rome by Francesco to preside over the Dicastery of the bishopsimportant and delicate junction of the life of the Church.
Man close to the poor of the Peruvian Andes, engaged in the front row in the Fight against the abuse of the clergyat ease he is working in the institutional offices but, even by Pope, he does not disdain to make selfies with the faithful.
An intense Augustinian spiritualitywhich transpires from his first words, an organized mind, the ability to weave relationships and work together with others. In short, a man straddling worlds and different experiences who will strive to recompose for safeguard communionkeeping unity and diversity together.
His name, Leoneas he himself explained, wants to recall Leo XIII, the Pope of the Rerum novarum And the word of the Church on the social issues of the time, but also recalls Friar Leone, the very close friend to San Francesco.
In the first words he appointed the word on several occasions “peace”, “Unarmed, disarming”intended in the first instance like that peace that is the greeting of the Risen One.
From the first homily, to the cardinals in the mass of 9 May, one of his priority concerns is understood: faithin a desertified world by secularization, therefore the mission and the announcementlo “Go out all the way because nobody is missing the opportunity to get to know Jesus and love him”.
I am sure: there will be no need to surprise Leone XIV. Welcome Holy Father, also by our small “Community” of Believe!
(Media Vatican photo)
