Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Honors Pope Francis in Moving First Speech and Declares 'Evil Will Not Prevail'

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6:36 pm

**Pope Leo XIV: First American Pontiff Delivers Powerful First Speech**

The world has a new leader of the Catholic Church! Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old Peruvian-American from Chicago, has been inaugurated as Pope Leo XIV. In his first address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the new pontiff delivered a message of peace and hope to a crowd visibly moved by his words.

Speaking in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV began with the traditional greeting, "peace be with you all." He then paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, recalling his "weak but always courageous voice" and the Easter Sunday blessing he gave to the world. Echoing this sentiment, Pope Leo XIV declared, "God loves us, God loves you all and evil will not prevail."

The new pope, a "son of St. Augustine," emphasized the importance of a "synodal church" that "always seeks peace" and "tries to be close especially to those who suffer." He also thanked the cardinals for their support and his former diocese in Peru. The speech concluded with a prayer for the church's mission of peace worldwide.

Pope Leo XIV's rise to the papacy marks a significant moment in history as the first American pontiff. He was appointed a Cardinal by Pope Francis in September 2023, and his chosen papal name, Leo, honors a long tradition within the Catholic Church. His focus on peace and his connection to both the Americas and the legacy of Pope Francis signal a promising new chapter for the Church.

Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, first American pontiff, Pope Francis, St. Peter's Basilica, first speech, peace, evil will not prevail, Catholic Church, synodal church, Chicago, Peruvian-American, Cardinal, Vatican, Easter Sunday, St. Augustine.

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