Pope Leo XIV will greet the crowd from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, leading a prayer to the Virgin Mary in his second official public appearance since becoming the leader of the Catholic Church.The noon (1000 GMT) prayer is expected to draw thousands of people anxious for a closer look at the modest pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, who before becoming the first pope from the United States spent much of his life as a missionary in Peru. Cardinals chose Leo as the 267th pope at a secret conclave on Thursday, praying he could heal rifts within the Church, renew faith among the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and address a host of modern-day challenges weighing on the more than 2,000-year-old institution.Addressing cardinals on Saturday, the 69-year-old Leo called himself a “humble servant of God… and nothing more than this”, and an “unworthy successor” to St Peter, according to a transcript released by the Vatican.
Activity Sindoor
On Sunday night, a constant stream of travelers and worshipers gathered in St. Peter’s Square to display flags and Christian images from all over the world. Numerous groups of young people, some of whom played violins and sang songs, mingled with the masses and monks. Leo’s Sunday presence, according to Resfina Macoy Torrevillas, a 68-year-old San Diego resident, would be the “highlight” of her party’s journey. ” We’re hoping for a great time, because the Catholic Church is struggling right now, especially in the USA,” said one spokesman. She hoped that the new bishop would “help mend” that” God moves in enigmatic way.”
Tribute to Francis
Leo said on Saturday that as the first indications of the direction of his papacy, he may be guided by the tradition of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, and that his example of perfect devotion to service and to awake simplicity of life would be a motivating factor. On Saturday morning, Leo made an unanticipated visit to Francis ‘ plain granite monument inside the Santa Maria Maggiore church to pray. The chapel was a favorite of Francis, and people have remained in line to pay their respects there ever since. Cardinal characterize Leo as a person who fits Francis ‘ mold with a dedication to the bad and the underprivileged and a focus on Catholic in far-away from Rome. He told cardinal that the Church may be committed to” the preacher transformation of the whole Christian community” as an Augustinian and former preacher. Leo traveled to an Catholic temple south of Rome, the Basilica Sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel, before visiting Francis ‘ monument, underscoring the importance of the new pope of the spiritual purchase, which is centered on collaboration and community. The new priest’s personal type is perceived as less strong than Francis, a liberal who ruffled wings within the Roman Curia, or Holy See’s government, during his 12-year church. Leo was described as” a person who soon inspires a lot of trust, a gentle man who knows how to hear,” according to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. We are just beginning his papacy, but the initial steps have already given us great courage and comfort. Yet the people’s passionate and wonderful response to this speaks a lot, Pizzaballa told the Corriere la Sera everyday on Sunday.
Then for diplomats and journalists:
A active week of discussions and followers is kicked off by Leo’s Regina Caeli worship to the Virgin Mary, which was recited at Easter and its aftermath. He may be presented to the world’s media in Rome on Monday, where he will be formally briefed on his election campaign. On Friday, he will meet with Vatican officials, and on Sunday, May 18 he did rule over the opening mass at St. Peter’s to mark the start of his pope. Leo’s initial general audience, which typically occurs every week and includes observations from Scripture and a lecture for the general audience, takes place on May 21. On May 24, he will also meet with Vatican officers and members of the Roman Curia. Leo has already stated in one of his initial statements that the mind of councils, or Vatican departments, may remain in their current positions. Between Francis ‘ passing and the new priest’s election, those positions had been stymied. Before any official visit or confirmation, the Vatican stated that” the Holy Father wishes to allow some time for reflection, meditation, and dialogue.” The pope begins his pilgrimage to Rome’s four catholic basilicas, including Santa Maria Maggiore, on May 25. Leo was chosen to lead the strong Dicastery of Bishops, which advises the pope on priest visits, and Francis named him a saint in 2023. However, he hasn’t been widely known outside of the Vatican. He used the Spanish language during his first handle from St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, which he used for his nearly two decades of expeditions work in Peru.
