By Ayodele Oni
History was made at the Vatican in the evening of Thursday May 7, 2025.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, has been elected the very first Catholic Pope of American extraction. He is the 267th Pope to seat on the “throne” of St Peter.
Until him, no American has attained the highest revered position in the Catholic Church.
He succeeds Pope Francis who passed on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
Pope Leo’s election marks the beginning of a new era. The emergence Thursday evening of the white smoke whuch billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, alerted the sea of heads which gathered at the Vatican that a new Pope has emerged.
The moment, the joy, the celebration was infectious. Vatican City was electrified. Cheers and celebrations reigned. Flags of different countries, held by many people, including Nigeria’s flag were waved continously. Tears of joy were shed. People embraced one another.
people embraced one another.
As the new Pope emerged at the balcony to greet the people, the crowd went crazy. He waved at them a number of times, with smiles. At a point, he became emotional.
133 voting Cardinals had been sequestered inside the Vatican during the conclave.
A new Pope needed two-thirds of the vote.
The Pope is a Chicago-native Prevost is still one to watch. He was
Created a Cardinal by the late Pope Francis in 2023. He was, also, the former leader of the Augustinian Order and was appointed by the late Pope to the Dicastery for Bishops which oversees the selection of new bishops from around the world.
He was in Peru, having served as Bishop of the Northern Chiclayo.
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