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Pope Leo XIV
When appearing on the balcony, Pope Leo XIV held a ceremonial speech to Catholics worldwide, beginning with the words, “Peace be with you.”
Leo continued, “Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.”
Pope Leo XIV also thanked his “cardinal brothers” for choosing him as Pope. He sent a special greeting to the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, where he served as Bishop between 2014 and 2023.
“To all the faithful here present, and to all those who receive his blessing through the radio, through television, and other technologies of communication. You can recognise him in the way recognised by the church,” the Pope concluded. “Let us hope that he’s preserved for a long time and ensure peace to the church throughout the world.”
“I think he knew it by first grade that he was going to be a priest. And there was no question in anyone’s mind. I think the question that our parents had was, would you be a diocesan priest and work at a parish, or would you be an order priest. Which he chose, Augustinian,” John Prevost, the Pope’s brother, said.
“He went right from high school seminary, and then Augustinian College at Villanova, and then the year of theology. So he wasn’t home a lot, except for summer vacations,” the Pope’s brother continued, adding that despite being the youngest, Leo usually gave them advice. “It’s usually the other way around; he gives the advice to us.”
“I was born in the United States… But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish… I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish,” he said.
“He maintains good humour and joy”
Prevost holds American and Peruvian citizenship, which will affect his career within the church. He gave his vows in 1981 and studied in Rome. After that, he was sent on a mission to Peru and stayed there for many years. In 2014, he was appointed bishop of Ciclayo in Peru.
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