Leo Decimus Quartus
On the 8th of May 2025, history was written. After the sombre days of mourning Pope Francis, God gave us another shepherd. The death of Pope Francis was felt profoundly by many, especially those of us here in Rome. It was like losing a close family member. Papa Francesco was so close to all of us, and his words and actions touched our hearts deeply.
Then came the conclave, and with it, the anticipation. Who would be the next Pope? There was a lot of speculation. The media paraded the probable candidates and I think they did well because, in a way, they helped many people get to know some of the cardinals. I cannot count how many times in Rome I was asked, "Whom are you tipping for?" Some media personalities asked us if we thought it was time for an African Pope. But when we told them that we would not mind a non-African, they seemed less interested in the rest of the conversation.
I analysed the candidates, followed the discussions, and paid attention to what the various Vaticanists were reporting, including insights from the General Congregations. It was going to be a challenging decision. In my view, many–if not all–the cardinals seemed qualified. With some priest friends, we discussed what qualities we would want in the next Pope. One of my wishes was that he would be fluent in English given how widely spoken English is today. (Fluency in Italian—of course—is obvious because the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome and the Primate of Italy), However, it seemed like a long shot.
At this point, it is of no use to mention the names, but the name of Prevost came up quite often. He was seen as an alternative, a second-tier candidate, but one whose name was still mentioned around the time of the General Congregations as a potential frontrunner. But it was difficult to imagine him as Pope. I even suggested to a friend, "Let’s study Prevost," but we ended up discussing other cardinals. One thing seemed pretty clear—the cardinals were going to settle for a moderate candidate, someone who can build bridges—firm in faith and doctrine, yes, but also someone with a heart for the poor and those on the peripheries, much like Pope Francis. A shepherd who is solid on the Church's teachings but also "smells like the sheep."
Then the white smoke suddenly rose on May 8th, and the bells of St. Peter’s rang out. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the Cardinal Protodeacon, appeared on the balcony and proclaimed:
"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; Habemus Papam!"
And the crowds went wild.
"Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Robertum Franciscum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost..."
A stunned silence followed. Could it be? An American Pope?
Then, behold, Prevost appeared on the screens. Dressed, as one commentator described, like 'Pope Benedict,' but speaking like 'Pope Francis.'
"Pace sia con voi!" he said, using the Paschal greeting, which is also the official greeting reserved for Bishops at the beginning of Mass.
And then it dawned on me how God works (Isaiah 55: 8-9). This was a man who had been ordained a bishop barely ten years ago. I was present in Rome when he was announced Cardinal on 9th July 2023—just the other day—and when he was created cardinal during the consistory of 30th September 2023. At that time, my focus was on the three African cardinals named alongside him: Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town–South Africa; Stephen Ameyu of Juba–South Sudan; and Protase Rugambwa of Tabora–Tanzania.
And just like that, Prevost went to the Sistine Chapel for his first conclave (on the 7th of May—actually my birthday) and came out, a day later, as Pope. He was not, however, the first to attend his first conclave and be elected Pope. We can think of Paul VI, who was created cardinal by John XXIII on 12th March 1958 and ended up elected Pope in his first conclave on 3rd June 1963.
Pope Leo XIV, as he is now known, is a citizen of the world. Born in Chicago, USA, he has roots in Spain, Italy, Ireland, France, and—according to a recent study—even Africa. He is also a naturalised citizen of Peru and has lived in Rome for a considerable time, both as a priest- student and later as the head of the Augustinians. As head of the Augustinians, he travelled extensively—visiting Kenya six times, Congo-Kinshasa, Nigeria, India, the Philippines, and numerous other countries. He is truly a global citizen—a Catholic in the fullest sense of the word. A misssionary Pope!
He is the first Augustinian to become Pope. When I heard that, I said, as we say in Italian, "Meno male." What took them so long? I love that he is authentic, intelligent, cautious, Marian, and the fact that he was an altar boy in his childhood—this is no mean fact because it shows the depth of his priestly vocation. I believe he will guide the Church well with the help of God’s grace, which is never lacking.
"Qui sibi nomen imposuit Leonem."
He chose the name Leo. The first figure that came to mind was Leo the Great, who, together with Augustine, is one of the Latin Fathers. Leo was a Pope, and Augustine was a bishop. They were contemporaries, although Augustine died in 430, before Leo became Pope in 440. Leo was influenced by Augustine and he promoted Augustine’s writings.
Then there were the other twelve Leos. The most recent was Leo XIII, known for his 86 encyclicals. In fact, in his native town of Carpineto near Rome, each street is named after one of his encyclicals. His most famous one is 'Rerum Novarum,' which was, in many ways, a great precedent to the Second Vatican Council. Leo XIII is also significant for promoting the works and study of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The fact that Pope Leo XIV studied at the Angelicum, where Thomistic studies are prominent, should therefore be underlined. Leo XIII lived to be one of the oldest Popes in history. He was one of the Popes in history, who led the Church from one century to the next. Blessed James Alberione (then, a seminarian) recalled Leo XIII leading the transition from 1899 to 1900, as did Saint John XXIII, who was also a seminarian in Rome when Leo XIII was pope and wrote about him in his diary. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus also met with Leo XIII when she sought permission to enter the Carmelite convent at the age of 15. The Holy Father told her, "You will, if it is the will of God."
Interesting facts to note are the similarities between Leo XIII, (Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci), and Leo XIV, (Robert Francis Prevost). Leo XIII, an Italian citizen, worked for a long time in diplomatic service, developing a love for France—just as Leo XIV developed a love for Peru, though he is by birth a citizen of the USA.
Vincenzo Pecci—(Pope Leo XIII )—served as Bishop of Perugia for 31 years, from 1846 until 1877, when he was called to Rome by Pope Pius IX to become Camerlengo. A year later, after the death of Pope Pius IX in 1878, he was elected pope.
A similar path can be seen with Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, who served in pastoral ministry as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, for 10 years. On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and two years later, Prevost succeded him as Leo XIV.
Both Leo XIII and Leo XIV were appointed Archbishops ad personam: Leo XIII as Archbishop ad personam of Perugia (they used to call him Archbishop-Bishop of Perugia), and Leo XIV—Archbishop Prevost—was Archbishop Emeritus ad personam of Chiclayo. An Archbishop ad personam is a title bestowed by the Pope on certain bishops as a personal honor. This title allows a bishop to be elevated to the rank of archbishop even though he does not preside over an archdiocese. Unlike Metropolitan Archbishops or Titular Archbishops—such as Apostolic Nuncios who hold titular sees—an Archbishop ad personam retains his original diocese, which remains a diocese and is not elevated to an archdiocese. The honor is granted in recognition of personal merit or service, not because of jurisdictional authority. (You can read more about 'Archbishop ad Personam' on this link.)
In the conclave of 1878 which elected Leo XIII, he was seen as a moderate candidate after the pontificate of Pius IX—just like Leo XIV. Both were elected on the second day of voting: Leo XIII at the third ballot and Leo XIV after the fifth. In both their coats of arms are lilies with a blue background—Leo XIII having two, and Leo XIV having one.
In Swahili, 'Leo' means 'today', and there was a pun in the Taifa Leo newspaper ‘Leo, Pope Leo!’ And properly today, 'Leo!'—on the 105th anniversary of the birth of his predecessor, St. John Paul II—Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass of the inauguration of his pontificate and received the Pallium and the Fisherman’s Ring. It was the very first time in his life he put on a Pallium, since—even though he was named Archbishop a few years ago—he was not a metropolitan archbishop and was Archbishop in a personal capacity (and thus did not wear a Pallium). So he received his first today—and his first was that of the Bishop of Rome!
In Latin, Spanish, Italian, 'Leo' means lion, which brings to mind the Gospel of Mark, associated with the lion symbol.
We pray that the Lord, The Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5) may preserve Pope Leo XIV, give him life, make him blessed on earth, and not let him fall into the traps of his enemies.
On his first papal trip outside the Vatican, he went to the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel at Genazzano, where he had prayed many times as a young priest-student and then later when he was made the head of the Augustinians—where he returned also as Cardinal, and now as Pope. The crowds chanted, "Viva il Papa!" and he responded, "Viva Maria!"
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, in whose month (May) he was elected and begins his Petrine ministry, intercede for us and most especially for him.
Let us always pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The author is a priest of the diocese of Nakuru-Kenya.
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