“He spoke of peace several times during his first speech. He is undoubtedly a pope of peace. And also a pope of the poor,” continues the primate of Belgium. “He will certainly be able to create bridges between peoples.”
With Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, a relatively young pope was chosen. “I find that good,” adds Luc Terlinden. “It is our time.”
“I was happy” when he heard his name, continues the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels. “He is the man of the situation”.
The primate of Belgium also said that it has already met the new Pope on several occasions. He accompanied the late Pope Francis during his visit to Belgium last year. “He is a humble, friendly man, with whom it is easy to get along” in the words of Luc Terlinden.
“May peace be with you”: here is what to remember from the first speech of Pope Leo XIV
Executive of Muslims of Belgium: “white smoke, new hope”
The executive of the Muslims of Belgium (EMB) welcomes “with respect and hope” the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, said the religious body Thursday evening in a press release.
“In a world marked by conflicts, divisions and human suffering, we see in this new pope a possible craftsman of peace and a bridge builder,” adds the EMB. “We hope and pray that Pope Leo XIV will help put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, stop war in Ukraine, appease tensions between Pakistan and India and promote interreligious dialogue, mutual respect and global solidarity”.
EMB says he believes, “as Muslims, in the strength of peace, justice and cooperation between religions. We wish Pope Leo XIV Wisdom, Force and a Heart filled with compassion in his new mission. White smoke was raised – that she is the sign of a descending peace,” concludes the religious body.
The American Robert Francis Prevost, 69, became the first Pope from the United States on Thursday from history, under the name of Léon XIV, on the second day of the conclave.
Belgian bishops congratulate “warmly” the new pope
Bishop Luc Terlinden, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and president of the Belgian episcopal conference, wanted to congratulate “warmly” on behalf of the Belgian Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, on the occasion of his election as 267th Pope, said the episcopal conference Thursday evening in a press release.
“The new Pope has a very rich and diverse experience,” said the press release. The new pope was indeed superior of the Order of the Augustins, bishop in South America and prefect of the powerful Dicastère des Bishops.
Grace action celebrations will also be organized in the coming days in all the dioceses of the country. This will be the case in the Saint-Rombaut cathedral in Malines on Sunday May 11 at 10.30 am and in the Cathedral Saints-Michel-et-Gudule in Brussels on Monday May 12 at 7 pm. These two ceremonies will be chaired by Mgr Terlinden.
The new pontiff is also not an unknown for the Belgian bishops, recalls the press release, because they had the opportunity to meet him during the trip of Pope Francis in Belgium last September.
