At his first homily (a religious discourse), newly elected Pope Leo XIV said, “God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles.”
Pope Leo XIV was elected as new Leader of the Catholic Church, which has more than one (1) billion followers across the world on Thursday 8 May, 2025 after two (2) days of voting by Cardinals.
133 Cardinals started the Conclave towards electing a new Pope on Wednesday 7 May, 2025 following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, 21 April, 2025 at the age of eighty-eight (88).
After casting ballots on Wednesday, black smoke was seen from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, indicating no Pope elected; and on Thursday morning, black smoke was seen again, until later in the day when white smoke was seen billowing from the Chapel’s chimney, meaning a new Pope has been elected by the Cardinal electors.
According to Vatican News (X/@VaticanNews), in his first homily with Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Leo XIV said: “God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles, and has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with his help, I may be its faithful administrator…”
“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.”
