On the second day of voting of One of the shortest conclaves in history of the Catholic Church, after 18 hours in Rome (10 hours from Guatemala), of the Chimney of the Sistine Chapel came out white smokewhich meant the choice of a new Pope.
Approximately an hour later, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodiacon of the Cardinal College, went to the balcony and proclaimed in Latin the announcement of the new Pope: “I announce a great joy: we have Pope! The very eminent and reverend Lord: Roberto Francisco, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church: Premost, who has chosen to be called: Leo XIV.”
Between screams, tears and prayers, The first Peruvian-American Pope, Robert Francis Prevost Martínez.
After greeting the faithful gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro, Prevost said his first words as Pope: “Peace is with you.” In addition, he reminded the faithful that “God loves us all unconditionally.”
How old is Pope Leo XIV?
Robert Francis Prevost Martínez was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, United States.
The Supreme Pontiff, currently 69 yearsHe is the son of Louis Marius Prevost, a man of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish ancestry.
Although it has not been the youngest Pope in history – because that position is occupied by John XII, who assumed the papacy at age 18 – is younger than his predecessor, Pope Francis, who assumed at 76.
Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of San Agustín (OSA) in 1977, with only 22 years, and the 27 was ordered priest.
He obtained his Peruvian nationality in 2015, at 60, and eight years later Cardinal was ordered at 68.
When does Robert Prevost begin as the new Pope?
After obtaining at least two thirds of the votes – equivalent to 89 votes – in the conclave, Prevost was driven to the so -called chapel of tears, located next to the Sistine Chapel. In that space, reserved for reflection and gratitude, the new Pope had a private moment to cry and entrust God before making the rites prior to his first public appearance.
Then, he went to the balcony to greet the faithful gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro, who were waiting with enthusiasm. From that moment, he began his adaptation process as the maximum leader of the Church.