Welcome to the new Pope, Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen to lead the global Catholic Church as the successor to Pope Francis, who was revered by the people of the world beyond the walls of religion. The new Pope will be known as Leo XIV. The white smoke of Pope Leo as the Supreme Head of the Church rose in the third round of voting on the second day of the conclave of cardinals held in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. Leo XIV is the first American to attain the position of Pope.

Born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, USA, Robert Prevost graduated from Loyola University in philosophy and completed his theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Interested in the life of Saint Augustine, he joined the Congregation of Saint Augustine. He was ordained a priest at the age of twenty-seven. He was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Trujillo, Peru. Although born in Chicago, he spent most of his church service outside the United States. In Peru, he took a strong stance against poverty and inequality. He earned a doctorate in canon law. He served the church in Peru in various capacities for two decades and also obtained citizenship there. In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him head of the Vatican's Synod of Bishops. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2023. He has become the Supreme Head of the Church within two years of becoming a cardinal.

It is a happy sign that Pope Leo XIV has a tradition of standing with the despised and the despairing. The fact that the succession of someone like Pope Francis, who had become the world's favourite Pope, reaching Leo XIV, who leads a simple life, is a joy to all who believe in love and peace. Pope Francis, who had expressed interest in visiting India, had also said that he would visit India by the end of this year or next year. He had also promised to visit the Sivagiri mutt when he came to Kerala. Unfortunately, his return from this world was before he got the opportunity to do so. However, the new Pope is a person who has visited Kerala twice in connection with church activities.

Pope Francis has ushered in unprecedented changes in the Catholic Church. Revolutionary changes, to say the least. Pope Francis lived a holy life as a true shepherd of Christ, without allowing any luxuries in his official residence. He even avoided living in a summer palace. A life that became synonymous with a simple life. He took a strong stand on the refugee issue and environmental issues. He raised his voice against the atrocities in Gaza before the end of his life. He also publicly apologised for all the mistakes of the Catholic Church. The challenge of succeeding such a holy Pope will be crucial for Leo XIV. We wish the new Pope the best of luck in acting in that capacity and becoming a favourite of the faithful and the people of the world.