New Pope Leo XIV celebrates the first trade fair

Catholic Church

New Pope Leo XIV celebrates the first trade fair

Habemus Papam: After his election in just four elections, the first American goes back to the Sistine chapel as a Pontifex. And soon also to the grave of the predecessor.

The new Pope Leo XIV celebrates its first big mass within 24 hours after his rapid choice in the conclave. In addition, the new head of the Catholic Church, the American Robert Francis Prevost, returns to the Sistine chapel.

There, the 69 -year -old was determined as the successor to the late Pope Francis on Thursday of more than 130 cardinals – on the second day of the conclusion, after four electoral courses. Congratulations from all over the world were received for the first Pope from the United States.

In contrast to the conclave, the public in the Sistine chapel is now again approved at the fair. It is eagerly awaited how the 14th Pope Leo will show up in two thousands of church history. During his first appearance after Habemus Papam (we have a Pope) on the balcony of St. Peter’s cathedral, he – unlike his predecessor – wore shoulder spread and stola like earlier popes. More than 100,000 people cheered him.

Before his appointment as Cardinal in 2023, Prevost worked as a missionary and bishop in Peru for many years. He also has Peruvian citizenship. Most recently, he led the authority in the Vatican for all bishops worldwide. As a result, he is well connected internationally – which may have helped him prevail against other cardinals that had previously been given greater opportunities. Shortly after 6 p.m., white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening.

The German Cardinal Reinhard Marx showed itself in the ZDF “Today Journal” very happy “about the choice. Leo XIV is a personality that the Catholic Church now needs. He could “listen to, be argumentative, understand what my problems are or where we have questions,” said Archbishop of Munich and Freising. He also hopes for the German Church from the new Pope. “I am actually very, very confident with his way I got to know him.” Marx was one of three German cardinals in the conclave.

The American is considered a man in the middle, who can convey well between the conservative and the warehouse in the church, which is open to reforms. At the same time, he is considered someone who does not shy away from critical words to politics. As one of the first, US President Donald Trump congratulated him, who spoke of a “great honor” for the United States. In their almost 250 years of history, a Pontifex has never come from there. Prevost had criticized the Trump government’s course several times.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wished the new Pope “inner strength and faith” to find an answer to the social issues of modernity. The new Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) wrote to Leo XIV.: “In these times, they give them millions of believers worldwide, through their office.”

Leo XIV is the 267th Pontifex in two thousands of church history. It is eagerly awaited whether he will continue the cautious reform course of the Argentinian Francis. There are demands from conservative cardinals to return to a more traditional course. In Europe, the Catholic Church recently lost significantly to members, promoted by many abuse scandals. The number of Catholics increases on other continents.