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US Cardinal Seán O’Malley has taken to his blog site to join the church in rejoicing and giving thanks for the “gift God has given to the church in Pope Leo XIV”.
O’Malley – who turned 80 in June and was ineligible to vote in the conclave due to his age – said he invites Catholics across the globe to join in unity and support of the new Holy Father.
US flags wave in the air as Catholics celebrated Pope election.Credit: Bloomberg
“Christ has told us that the hallmark of discipleship is the love we have for each other,” he wrote.
“In this Jubilee Year, the church is inviting us to be pilgrims of hope, walking together with a special compassion and love for those who are suffering and alone. God in his providence has given us Pope Leo XIV to lead us on this journey of hope.”
The following is the first full speech of Pope Leo XIV, given from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica shortly after his election as the leader of the Catholic Church, starting in Italian:
“Peace be with all of you!
Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for God’s flock. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your heart, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to the whole earth. Peace be with you!
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally. We still have in our ears that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome!
The pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that Easter morning.
Continue reading Pope Leo’s translated speech in full here.
Reuters
Former US President Joe Biden has told CNN the election of an American Pope is not surprising, with the result pleasing him “a great deal”.
“He was a good friend of Francis. I think he’s going to keep moving the church in the direction to be more ecumenical and reaching out,” he said.
John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden have so far been the only two Catholic US presidents.Credit: AP
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher appeared on ABC News Breakfast this morning after staying up throughout the night waiting to see white smoke billowing out of the chimney from the Sistine Chapel.
Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher.Credit: James Alcock
Fisher welcomed the news of the election and said Pope Leo was a man with a “missionary heart” who has devoted his life to bringing people to the gospel.
“I think people will find him a Pope for the whole world, for people of all different languages and cultures and backgrounds, and a great unifier,” he said.
“He’s a bridge builder. He’s someone who will bring people together.”
Trump has been asked by reporters whether he intends to meet Pope Leo.
“I am,” he said. “They’ve already spoken to us, and we’ll see what happens.”
The US President reiterated that it was a “great honour” to have the new pontiff hail from America.
Catholic writer and historian Paul Collins says Pope Leo XIV will follow the political agenda of his predecessor Francis.
“But he’ll do it with a little more discretion,” Collins, who is also a retired priest, said.
“Francis was out there … he said what he thought.”
The newly elected Pope has been likened to Francis.Credit: AP
Collins said Pope Leo’s time serving as a priest in a developing country like Peru will help him understand the challenges being faced in peoples lives.
“He understands what it’s like to be poor, to be struggling for the next meal, that kind of thing. So I think he will pretty much follow the Francis agenda with a little bit more subtlety.”
The Windy City is notoriously split between White Sox and Cubs supporters, a baseball rivalry between the south and north sides.
Father Gregory Sakowicz, rector of Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, said one burning question was whether the pontiff was a fellow fan of the Chicago White Sox baseball team, as he grew up near the team’s stadium on the city’s south side, or of their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs.
“I heard he’s a Cubs fan,” he said. “Well, God Bless him.”
The Chicago Cubs have claimed the new Pope as one of their own.Credit: Getty
The Cubs themselves claimed Leo as one of their own, posting on their X account congratulations and a photo of the iconic Wrigley Field sign with the words: “Hey, Chicago. He’s a Cubs fan!”
“Not only would we welcome Pope Leo XIV to Wrigley Field, he could sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame,’” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said, referring to the song fans belt out during the middle of the seventh inning.
However, local Chicago television station WGN9 interviewed the pope’s brother, John Prevost, who cleared up the matter: Pope Leo is a fan of the White Sox, he said.
Reuters
Raised in Illinois, Chicago, newly elected Pope Leo XIV is being celebrated in his home state.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson took to X to acknowledge the election of the Chicago-born pope – writing that he hopes to welcome the pontiff back home soon.
“Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago! Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV!,” Johnson wrote.
Albanese says the government looks forward to continuing the relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV as he will invite him to Australia.
Speaking from Canberra, Albanese said he had had discussions with Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney about the new Pope.
“My government looks forward to continuing Australia’s strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate… The news, of course, was conveyed to me this morning by our ambassador to the Holy See, Keith Pitt,” Albanese said.
“I thank him for the role he played in the short time in which he has been in Rome. This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere.”
The prime minister spoke about newly-elected Pope Leo XIV. Watch below.
