The American Robert Francis Prevost, 69, who became Thursday under the name of Léon XIV the first pope from the United States in history, launched a “appeal of peace” to “all peoples” during his first appearance in front of a joy.
In the wake of his election, Léon XIV addressed to more than 1.4 billion Catholics: “May peace be with you all!” “Were his first words, in an Italian tinged with American accent. “Thank you to Pope Francis”, who died on April 21 at 88, he also launched, thanking his cardinal colleagues for elected him.
Where will he live?
After his election, the Pope will have to choose his private apartments. He will make the choice of traditional apartments located on the third floor of the Palais de Sixte Quint, in a wing of the Apostolic Palace, Place Saint-Pierre, where then he will choose more monacal like his predecessor François. Joseph Bergoglio had chosen to remain in a two-piece Spartan look at the Sainte-Marthe residence.
The presentation of papal symbols
After his election, the pope will receive the fisherman’s ring during the solemn inauguration of his pontificate and which represents Saint-Pierre fishing in the net in his boat. The fisherman’s ring is slipped into the finger of the elected official, at the level of the annular of the right hand by the dean of the Cardinals College and identifies him as successor to the first pope.
Much more than a simple gem, the fisherman’s ring is a constant reminder of the mission of the church and its loyalty to Christ. Each ring is personal to the sovereign pontiff and that of Pope Francis was scratched by Cardinal Camerlingue after his death, as provided for in the Apostolic Constitution. The new pope must also receive the “pallium”, this strip of fabrics on the chasuble.
-First masses
Pope Léon XIV will celebrate a mass at 11 am with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on Friday, the day after his election as 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, announces the Vatican.
He will also chair the prayer of Regina Cæli on Sunday at noon from the Balcony of the Saint-Pierre Basilica. On this occasion, the Pope pronounces his first homily, which sets the tone for the coming months. The previous sovereign pontiff had, on this occasion, articulated his text around three principles: « Walk, build, confess ”.
After the inauguration mass of the pontificate and “within a suitable period” according to the Vatican Constitution, must be held a mass at the Cathedral of Rome named Saint-Jean-de-Latran. On this occasion, Léon XIV, who in fact became bishop of Rome, presents himself to his diocese.
First audience
The new Pope Léon XIV will hold a first audience for the press this Monday at 9 am at the Vatican, said Thursday evening the director of the press service of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni.
First trip?
Pope Francis had expressed his wish to go to Nicée, today Iznik, Turkey, in 2025, as part of a trip to Turkey on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea. In 325 AD, at the call of the Emperor Constantine, of the bishops of all Christianity were present, the Pope sent a legate there. Thus was born the first ecumenical council of the history of Christianity which not only established the “creed”, still recited today, but also initiated a tradition, that of the council, which consists in bringing the bishops of the world to solve doctrinal problems. What will be the choice of Leon XIV? Keep the promise of his predecessor or send a clean signal? Mystery.
