A post on the Diocese of Funchal’s website features a message from Nuno Brás, who expresses his prayers that the new Pope’s testimony, words, expressions, and gestures inspire hope, strengthen the faith of Christians worldwide, and serve as a voice proclaiming peace and fraternity among all peoples.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, aged 69, was elected the new Pope by the College of Cardinals today. The election took place on the second day of the conclave following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
The new pontiff has chosen the name Leo XIV. Previously, he served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a position he held since April 12, 2023.
Known as a progressive or reformist, Prevost was made a cardinal by Pope Francis during the Consistory on September 30, 2023.
Prevost is often referred to as the “pastor of two nations” for his missionary work in Peru during the 1980s.
This experience, according to CNN Brazil, has afforded him fluency in Spanish and a deep understanding of the Church in Latin America, positioning him as a potential representative of the Americas as a whole.
His tenure leading the Dicastery for Bishops is considered a significant strength, providing him with leadership skills and a comprehensive understanding of the global institution.
Available records indicate that he has never visited the Sanctuary of Fátima, a site frequently visited by high-ranking Church dignitaries, especially during major pilgrimage anniversaries in May, August, and October.
He is the first American-born Pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
