Pope Francis has died, Vatican says, 21 Apr 2025

[detective.moon]

I would hope that a pope would not be influenced by any administration when he has to make decisions.

yes, completely agree with you! i think it’s still a question people might have so it’s good to answer. i think that for a long time an american pope seemed almost impossible, with the USA being such a superpower, but i think i think it’s nice that the cardinals wouldn’t let something like that stop them, because it shouldn’t be what the choice for a pope is about!

 

[Herat]

I never thought there would be an American Pope in my lifetime! Awesome!

Something about it seems, wrong, I don't know why.

Not critcizing him as a person at all, I dunno. It almost feels too modern (if that makes any sense at all)

 

[Kudzuu]

@herat

For me it feels like the timing. We are living in a very devisive world right now. IMO.

 

[Dotta]

"Who is Robert Francis Prevost? ​

What to know about newly elected Pope Leo XIV."​

Who is Robert Francis Prevost? What to know about newly elected Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, has been elected the new pope under the papal name Pope Leo XIV.

eu.usatoday.com

​

'What Pope Leo XIV's name could tell us about himself ​

and what's ahead for the church.​

Prevost's background, and his papal name Leo XIV,
give some clues that could hint at the church's future.

Over the centuries,
Leo is one of the top five most popular names chosen by Popes.

One of them, Pope Leo XIII, elected in 1878,
was known as a reformer.
He encouraged diplomacy,
advocated scientific process,
and favored a strong church position on human rights."

America's first pope: What does choice of 'Leo XIV' say about how he wants to lead?

Robert Prevost's new papal name will be analyzed for its connections to history, religious meaning, and for clues on the church's future direction

eu.usatoday.com

 

[Sundog]

Some media outlets are describing the election of Pope Leo XIV as "the first American-born Pope," which I think is a good way to describe him. Not to deny that he is American, but to recognize that he is also a Peruvian citzen and served as both a missionary and Archbishop in Latin America for many years.

 

[Dotta]

Some media outlets are describing the election of Pope Leo XIV as "the first American-born Pope," which I think is a good way to describe him. Not to deny that he is American, but to recognize that he is also a Peruvian citzen and served as both a missionary and Archbishop in Latin America for many years.

Now he is citizen of Rome and the whole world.
He is Pope,
the Leader of Catholic Church.

His words from the balcony were beautiful.
I was moved and people in the Square were too.

Catholics all over the world prayed for a worthy Pope.

JMO

 

[Herat]

The immediate response from world leaders has been very supportive and indicative of recognition of significance of the Pope in promoting understanding and compassion.

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-two-05-08-25

 

[sds71]

Today, we joyously celebrate the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, a moment of profound significance for the global Church. A Villanova alumnus, Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States and the first Augustinian friar to be elected.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1920549928348066188

 

[NuttMegg]

Works for me. BS in mathematics. Decades in Peru.

Relatively young. Is the least American of the "American" candidates.

I like that it can't be claimed by prominent American politicians that they personally are due credit. If anything it shows the word "American" rightfully belongs to everyone in the Americas.

Worked with the poor in NW Peru, loved Peru so much he became a citizen.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/08/pope-prevost-american-vatican/

 

[Sundog]

Today, we joyously celebrate the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, a moment of profound significance for the global Church. A Villanova alumnus, Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States and the first Augustinian friar to be elected.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1920549928348066188

A Villanova alumnus, university founded by the Augustinian order, IIRC.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Unfortunately there seem to be reports that Prevost has been involved with actively covering up homosexual abuse of seminarians and young clergy or himself being involved in actual abuse. Indeed he was one of half a dozen papabili named by SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

The six have been named as "Péter Erdő from Hungary, Kevin Farrell from the United States, Victor Manuel Fernández from Argentina, Mario Grech from Malta, Robert Francis Prevost from the United States, and Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines".

The New Pope Must Purge the Church of the Lavender Mafia - LewRockwell

Many who have written on the needed characteristics of the next pope have said such things as “The next pope needs to call the bishops to proclaim the faith boldly; to restore respect for the sacraments; to unify the polarized elements of the Church.” Few pundits note that purging the Church of...

www.lewrockwell.com

Obviously that article was written before Prevost was elected.

SNAP have published a statement about the election:

https://www.snapnetwork.org/survivors_respond_to_pope_leo_xiv_s_election_with_grave_concern_about_his_record_managing_abuse_cases

 

[NuttMegg]

Unfortunately there seem to be reports that Prevost has been involved with actively covering up homosexual abuse of seminarians and young clergy or himself being involved in actual abuse. Indeed he was one of half a dozen papabili named by SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

The six have been named as "Péter Erdő from Hungary, Kevin Farrell from the United States, Victor Manuel Fernández from Argentina, Mario Grech from Malta, Robert Francis Prevost from the United States, and Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines".

The New Pope Must Purge the Church of the Lavender Mafia - LewRockwell

Many who have written on the needed characteristics of the next pope have said such things as “The next pope needs to call the bishops to proclaim the faith boldly; to restore respect for the sacraments; to unify the polarized elements of the Church.” Few pundits note that purging the Church of...

www.lewrockwell.com

Obviously that article was written before Prevost was elected.

SNAP have published a statement about the election:

https://www.snapnetwork.org/survivors_respond_to_pope_leo_xiv_s_election_with_grave_concern_about_his_record_managing_abuse_cases

So far nothing accused in line with the massive effort to hide abuse in the USA disclosed by investigations and the film "Spotlight"

 

[PrairieWind]

Works for me. BS in mathematics. Decades in Peru.

Relatively young. Is the least American of the "American" candidates.

I like that it can't be claimed by prominent American politicians that they personally are due credit. If anything it shows the word "American" rightfully belongs to everyone in the Americas.

Worked with the poor in NW Peru, loved Peru so much he became a citizen.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/08/pope-prevost-american-vatican/

Least American? What does that mean?

 

[NuttMegg]

Least American? What does that mean?

"Italian media has referred to him as the least American of the Americans because of his quiet, humble way."

America Gets Brutally Roasted Within Seconds Of New American Pope Leo XIV’s Big Reveal

ABC News anchor David Muir delivered a devastating zinger to the United States Of America seconds after newly-anointed Pope Leo XIV was revealed.

www.mediaite.com

 

[Dotta]

"The Augustinians
are classified as mendicant orders.
(an order founded for the purpose of realizing the evangelical and apostolic life in poverty
following the example of the apostles
(vita apostolica).

Their attire is a black habit with a hood and leather belt.

They conduct scientific, missionary, and social activities,
and work among the sick, poor, disabled, and marginalized."

from Polish Wikipedia

Augustianie – Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia

pl.m.wikipedia.org

 

[indicolite22]

on dutch tv a friend of the new pope happened to be present when it was announced. there were questions in the studio about whether the new pope could be influenced by the trump administration when he has to make decisions, and his friend said definitely not!

The new pope's twitter history confirms that.

 

[Sarahlou]

Unfortunately there seem to be reports that Prevost has been involved with actively covering up homosexual abuse of seminarians and young clergy or himself being involved in actual abuse. Indeed he was one of half a dozen papabili named by SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

The six have been named as "Péter Erdő from Hungary, Kevin Farrell from the United States, Victor Manuel Fernández from Argentina, Mario Grech from Malta, Robert Francis Prevost from the United States, and Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines".

The New Pope Must Purge the Church of the Lavender Mafia - LewRockwell

Many who have written on the needed characteristics of the next pope have said such things as “The next pope needs to call the bishops to proclaim the faith boldly; to restore respect for the sacraments; to unify the polarized elements of the Church.” Few pundits note that purging the Church of...

www.lewrockwell.com

Obviously that article was written before Prevost was elected.

SNAP have published a statement about the election:

https://www.snapnetwork.org/survivors_respond_to_pope_leo_xiv_s_election_with_grave_concern_about_his_record_managing_abuse_cases

I wish I could say this surprises me, but it doesn't.
Not good.

 

[Sundog]

Now that I have seen a timeline of the Pope's history of living in the U.S. and Peru, I do think of him now as more than an "American-born" pope. He clearly lived in the U.S. as long as he lived in Peru, likely a little longer, with moves back and forth between the U.S. and Peru. So he truly is an American pope, not just an American-born pope. He has lived here for over half of his life.

 

[Sundog]

I am glad to see that he also served as head of an Augustinian Seminary in Peru and also taught cannon law.
Sounds like he has a good background in missions, theology, cannon law, management and leadership.

And at 22 years old, after graduating from Villanova University, he began the process that would lead him to his ordination as a priest in 1982. Seems that he had a calling either before or during (or both) his studies at Villanova.

 

[detective.moon]

reading people’s opinions about the new pope is making my head spin! with this person being happy because he is clearly showing he will be a conservative pope, that person being happy because he’s clearly very progressive, the next person already hating him for being too conservative and another person hating him for being progressive. and a lot of varying opinions about his nationality of course.

i suppose we’ll just have to see what his papacy will be like!

reading that he’s covered up sexual abuse does really sadden me and i can only hope he has learned something since then. i can’t imagine how the victims feel today.