‘We still hear in our ears that weak, but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing from Rome,’ he said.

Robert Francis Prevost, the U.S.-born cardinal who also holds Peruvian citizenship, chose the name Leo XIV for his papacy. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he delivered a lengthy speech to thousands of faithful watching from around the world and called on them to build a Church open to everyone—especially to those who suffer.

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“Dear sisters and brothers. This is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I too wish that this greeting of peace may enter your hearts and reach your families, all people everywhere, all peoples, and the entire earth. Peace be with you,” he began his address.

“A disarming, humble, and persevering peace comes from God. God who loves us all unconditionally. We still hear in our ears that weak, but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing from Rome. In that same blessing, God loves us. God loves you all, and evil will not prevail,” he continued, visibly moved.

“Thank you, Pope Francis,” said Prevost, who was very close to the Argentine pontiff and is considered, like him, a reformer and a progressive. Leo XIV then called for “building bridges through dialogue and encounter, leading us all to be one people always in peace.”

And to the cardinals who elected him, he also urged: “to walk together with you as a united Church, always seeking peace and justice, always striving to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear of proclaiming the Gospel, of being missionaries.”

“We must seek together to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges and dialogue, always open to welcoming everyone—everyone who needs our charity, our presence,” he added, calling for “a synodal Church, a Church that journeys, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks to be close—especially to those who suffer greatly.”

And he offered a few words in Spanish during his first appearance to the world as pontiff to remember his Diocese in Peru, South America. “And if you will allow me, also a word, a greeting… to all those, in a special way, to my beloved Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a country where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith, and given so much—so much—to continue being a faithful Church of Jesus Christ,” Pope Leo XIV said.

An American Augustinian, Prevost has worked in various missions in Peru, and in 2015, Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo. The new pope wished to conclude with a Hail Mary to ask the Virgin “for the whole Church, for peace in the world.”

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE – Vatican News

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