First American pope: Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first US-born pontiff and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Leo made his first remarks as pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in front of tens of thousands of onlookers, calling for peace and paying tribute to the late Pope Francis.
The new pope: Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago, is a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and holds dual citizenship in the US and Peru, where he served as a bishop. He most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.
The pope’s election prompted an outpouring of congratulations from world leaders, who expressed eagerness to work with the pontiff on global issues. US President Donald Trump called the historic selection a great honor for the country.
The 69-year-old from Chicago stepped into his role as the 267th pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening, addressing thousands of cheering Catholics with the words: “Peace be with you all".
Now known as Pope Leo XIV, the new American pontiff visited Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, almost a decade ago as part of his duties as an Augustinian leader, engaging with members of the order and the broader Catholic community.
Leo is a prominent member of the Order of St. Augustine, a Catholic religious order with a history dating back to the 13th century.
The Order emphasises community life, interior search for God, and service to others, following in the footsteps of St. Augustine, who harped on unity of mind and heart for the glory of God.
Before he was made bishop, Prevost served as Provincial of the Augustinian Province in Chicago from 1999-2001, and later served two terms as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001-2013.
The last papal visit to Nigeria was by Pope John Paul II in 1998, who also visited the country in 1982.
Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, limited his African trips to Kenya, Uganda, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu congratulated Leo on his election as the Bishop of Rome.
Tinubu, who rejoiced with Nigerian Catholics, said the new pope’s message of faith and hope resonates across the globe.
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