Name and Assumption of the Petrine Office

Robert Francis Prevost, elected on May 8, 2025, has chosen the regnal name Pope Leo XIV, becoming the 267th Bishop of Rome and the first American to occupy the See of Peter . His assumption of the pontificate began with the traditional “Habemus Papam” announcement by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel to signal a successful conclave vote . Immediately following the proclamation, Pope Leo XIV appeared before tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square for his inaugural greeting, “Peace be with all of you,” delivering the Urbi et Orbi apostolic blessing to both the city of Rome and the world . The new pontiff then traveled to the Sala Regia for the Inaugural Mass, where he received the Fisherman’s Ring, symbolizing his apostolic succession from Saint Peter. In his homily, Leo XIV pledged to continue the social-justice focus of his predecessor, Francis, while emphasizing unity within a geographically diverse College of Cardinals. This ceremony, rich in ritual and symbolism, not only marks the beginning of his spiritual leadership over 1.4 billion Catholics but also reaffirms centuries-old traditions that bind the Church together in continuity and faith.

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Brief History of the Papacy

The papacy traces its origins to Saint Peter, whom Catholics regard as the first Bishop of Rome, appointed by Christ himself. Over two millennia, the role evolved from a local episcopal office into a global spiritual and temporal authority, especially after Constantine’s Edict of Milan (313 AD) granted religious tolerance to Christianity. During the Middle Ages, popes wielded immense political power, crowning emperors and mediating conflicts, while also commissioning theological and artistic achievements, such as the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. #Write2Earn