Tinubu, Trump, Obi hail Prevost on emergence as Pope
May 9, 2025
VATICAN CITY — President Bola Tinubu, his US counterpart, Mr. Donald Trump and presidential candidate of Labour Party in the last general elections, Mr Peter Gregory Obi have congratulated Robert Cardinal Francis Prevost, who emerged yesterday the new Pontiff of the Catholic Church and successor to late Pope Francis.
Their congratulatory messages came yesterday at the end of a conclave by cardinal-electors, after which the new Pope was announced
A moderate, who was close to Pope Francis, Prevost becomes the first pope from the United States and has taken Leo XIV as his papal name. French Cardinal, Dominique Mamberti, announced the new pope, with the Latin words “Habemus Papam” (We have a pope).
Tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peter’s Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing. “Peace be with you,” he told the crowds.
White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals’ second day of voting to announce his election in a conclave, while the bells of St Peter’s Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.
Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which has been fitted out with red curtains for the first address to the world by the 267th pope.
The new pontiff, who succeeds Argentine reformer Pope Francis, was introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name.
The 133 cardinal electors began meeting in Vatican City, Wednesday, the first day of the conclave to elect a new pope as the Bishop of Rome. The first black smoke (indicating that a new pope hadn’t been elected) on Wednesday evening arrived some three hours and 15 minutes after the cardinals closed their doors, greeted with some disappointment by the assembled crowds.
Thick black smoke, again, billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning after the first rounds of voting, in a sign that the cardinals, again failed to elect a new head of the Catholic Church.
But later at about 6p.m., (1600 GMT) the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader.
It was unknown how many ballots it took to elect the new pope, but it followed recent history in wrapping up in less than two days.
In 2005, Benedict XVI, a German theologian, was elected in four ballots and Francis, in 2013, was elected in five ballots.
Trump congratulates Robert Prevost
President Donald Trump has congratulated Prevost on his election, describing it as an honour to have the first American as a pope.
“Congratulations to Robert Cardinal Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”, he said in a statement on his Truth Social.
The man, Robert Prevost
Before his election, yesterday, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, of French and Italian descent, was the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops from the USA. Considered a highly capable and experienced leader, Robert Prevost served in the vital role as leader of the powerful Vatican office for bishopric appointments, assessing candidates and making recommendations to the pope.
Born in Chicago, he is a member of the Augustinian religious order of which he went on to lead as global superior and spent many years working in Peru. He was later Bishop of Chicalayo, Peru, before being chosen by Francis to lead the Vatican’s bishop office. Prevost spent decades as a missionary in Peru, served as PriorGeneral of the Augustinians (2001– 2013), and was Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023). He was elevated to cardinal in 2023 and cardinalbishop in 2025
He earned his bachelor’s in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, and went on to receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. He was later sent to Rome to study canon law at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University and was ordained a priest in June 1982.
Pastor or diplomat
The election has come at a time of great geo-political uncertainty, which was seen as a key voting issue, along with rifts within the Church.
Francis was a compassionate reformer who prioritised migrants and the environment, but he angered traditionalists who wanted a defender of doctrine rather than a headline-maker.
Comments
Post a Comment