Pope Leo XIV set to deliver St. Peter's prayer to the devoted congregation
New Rewrite:
Pope Leo XIV prepares to step out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time as the leader of the Catholic Church, in his second public appearance following his election. This Sunday's Regina Coeli prayer is anticipated to attract a throng of people eager to catch a glimpse of the humble pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, who spent much of his vocation serving as a missionary in Peru before ascending the papal throne.
Cardinals chose Leo as the 267th pope at a top-secret conclave on Thursday, with hopes that he would bring healing to the Church's internal strife, reinvigorate faith among the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, and address the various contemporary challenges weighing on the Church, a 2,000-year-old institution.
Speaking to cardinals on Saturday, the 69-year-old Leo expressed himself as a "faithful servant of God and nothing more," and an "unworthy successor" to Saint Peter. In a nod to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, he pledged to be guided by Francis's example of complete dedication and simple lifestyle.
Leo paid his respects to Francis's tomb in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica on Saturday, as faithful continue to gather there to pay their respects. Cardinals describe the Chicago-born Leo as being in the same mold as Francis, with a deep commitment to serving the poor and underserved, and an emphasis on the Church's remote communities, rather than Rome.
As an Augustinian and former missionary, Leo also believes the Church's mission includes "the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community." Before visiting Francis's tomb, Leo made a surprise visit to the Basilica Sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel, an Augustinian shrine southeast of Rome.
Cardinals describe Leo's personal style as less impulsive than Francis, who frequently stirred up controversy during his twelve-year reign. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the conservative archbishop of New York, described his fellow countryman as a man of deep faith, rooted in prayer and adept at active listening.
"This is what gives us hope … not a political program or a communication strategy, but the concrete testimony of the Gospel," Dolan told Italian newspaper La Stampa.
Upon his election on Thursday, the soft-spoken Leo's first appearance at the balcony of St. Peter's saw him sending peace to "all the people, wherever they are… to the whole Earth."
Leo's Regina Coeli prayer this Sunday marks the beginning of a busy week for the pope, including meetings with international media, diplomats, and various audiences.
In one of his initial decisions, Leo has already announced that the heads of the Vatican departments will maintain their positions in the interim, with time reserved for reflection, prayer, and dialogue before any permanent appointments or confirmations.
As the first U.S. pope, Leo may focus on revitalizing the Church's presence in the Americas and addressing global perceptions of the Catholic Church's leadership. His humble demeanor and commitment to service are a stark contrast to his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose reign was marked by progressive reforms and a more informal leadership style.
Upon moving into the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace, renovations will be required, possibly signaling a broader effort to update and modernize the Vatican's infrastructure, following in the footsteps of previous renovations after the deaths of John Paul II.
With his election, Leo has already sparked interest in the Catholic Church among Americans, as evidenced by the sports betting market reactions. However, maintaining neutrality and trust while strengthening diplomatic ties and outreach to various regions, especially in light of U.S. influence, could prove challenging during his tenure.
- The newly elected Pope Leo, with his focus on serving the poor and legacy of simplicity, might look towards financing initiatives to revitalize the Church's presence in the business sector, particularly in the Americas, and address contemporary challenges faced by the Catholic Church.
- As a leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo is expected to employ his diplomatic skills and maintain neutrality while strengthening ties with international media and global communities, showing that leadership in finance and other areas can mirror his deep faith and commitment to service.
