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16h ago

Pope Leo XIV Elected, Emphasizing Social Justice and Peace

The first American pope invokes the legacy of Leo XIII to prioritize workers' rights, modern challenges, and global diplomacy.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Overview

  • Cardinal Robert Prevost, a U.S.-born cleric with Peruvian ties, was elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, becoming the first American pontiff.
  • The choice of the name Leo XIV honors Pope Leo XIII, who authored the 1891 encyclical 'Rerum Novarum,' foundational to Catholic social teaching on workers' rights and economic justice.
  • Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni highlighted the name's relevance to contemporary issues, including labor challenges in the age of artificial intelligence.
  • In his first address as pope, Leo XIV called for peace, echoing his predecessor Pope Francis’s emphasis on global harmony and outreach.
  • Leo XIV’s papal name, derived from the Latin for 'lion,' symbolizes strength and courage, connecting him to a historical lineage of reformist and diplomatic popes.