Cardinal Robert Prevost has been announced as the next head of the Catholic Church. He is the first pope from the US and took the papal name Leo XIV.
Empire State Building illuminated white and gold
The iconic Empire State Building in New York City was lit up in white and gold in honor of Pope Leo XIV on Thursday.
The Chicago-born pontiff, who was elected earlier in the day, is the first pope to have been born in the United States and the first ever leader of the Catholic Church from North America.
In celebration, the famous 380-meter (1,246-foot) Manhattan skyscraper was illuminated in the colors of the Vatican.
The Empire State Building also shone in gold and white to honor Pope Francis following his death on Easter Monday.
Peru celebrates ‘historic’ election of Leo XIV
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte welcomed the “historic” election of Pope Leo XIV, a Peruvian “by choice and conviction” who has served the country for more than 20 years.
Pope Leo XIV is a dual citizen of the United States and, since 2015, of Peru, where he served first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
Writing on Facebook, Boluarte said the 69-year-old Prevost “chose to be one of us, to live among us and to carry in his heart the faith, culture and dreams of this country.”
“In our lands, he sowed hope, walking alongside those most in need,” she added.
Leo, standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time as pope, addressed in Spanish the people of the Peruvian city of Chiclayo, he served as the administrator and later archbishop.
“Greetings… to all of you, and in particular, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV to celebrate a mass for cardinals on Friday
The day after his election as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate a mass for cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican has announced.
The mass will be held at 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) on Friday.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV will hold an audience with the world’s media on Monday morning, the Vatican press office added.
News Source: DW News
