Months before Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became the first American pope, a social media account under his name expressed criticism of Vice President JD Vance, sharing an article that called the vice president’s interpretation of Christian doctrine “wrong.” The piece, published in The National Catholic Reporter, was a rebuttal to Mr. Vance’s interpretation of a […]
The first American pope Robert Francis Prevost was yesterday elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first pontiff from the U.S. He took the papal name Leo XIV and greeted a cheering crowd of followers at St. Peter’s Square by saying, “Peace be with you.” Read a transcript of his speech. […]
India and Pakistan appeared to be dangerously escalating their armed confrontation on Thursday, as both countries said that their military sites had come under attack, and heavy shelling and strikes were reported overnight on each side of their border. The military face-off began on Wednesday, when India struck several sites in Pakistani territory — its […]
President Vladimir V. Putin will preside over a Victory Day parade on Red Square on Friday, a grand celebration of the Soviet triumph against Nazi Germany 80 years ago that is being used to highlight Russia’s past glories and justify the war with Ukraine. Sitting with Mr. Putin in stands erected in front of Vladimir […]
What’s in a name? A lot it turns out. Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesman, told reporters on Thursday that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s choice to be called Pope Leo XIV had been a clear and deliberate reference to the last Leo, who led during a difficult time for the Roman Catholic Church and helped marshal […]
The announcement from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City set off waves of shock and pride across the United States: For the first time ever, the pope was an American. And a White Sox fan to boot. In more than two dozen interviews across the country, Catholics and non-Catholics alike said they were stunned by […]
John Prevost knew there was a chance his brother could be elected pope. “Last Saturday when I was at church, one of the priests came over and told me the odds in Las Vegas were 18 to 1,” said Mr. Prevost, who lives in suburban Chicago. “He didn’t have a doubt. He thought it would […]
The new pope has an important decision to make after accepting the position: What will his name be? His choice will offer one of the first signals of the direction his pontificate might take. There are no set rules, though popes tend to look to history and select a name with personal meaning. They often […]
In Chicago, a city where baseball allegiance has no middle ground, one of the first questions people asked was whether the Chicago-born pope cheered for the White Sox or the Cubs. The lines dividing Cubs and Sox fans are not always clear. Generally speaking, North Siders root for the Cubs, since Wrigley Field is on […]
The highly choreographed and secretive process of electing a pope technically came to an end when Pope Leo XIV was introduced on Thursday. But the oath of secrecy is frequently, and unofficially, kept for just a bit longer, according to Joelle Rollo-Koster, a professor of history at the University of Rhode Island. “We can only […]