Catholics worldwide are celebrating the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American to fill the role, and has strong ties to Latin America.
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00:00Elation among crowds outside the Vatican as white smoke rises from the Sistine
00:07Chapel and the bells of St. Peter ring out, signalling a new Pope has been
00:12elected. Dad, the white smoke, I'm going to see the Pope. I'm here at the Vatican
00:19and I'm going to see the Pope. I'm speechless and with no more voice. I'm happy.
00:25It's the beginning of a new life. It's a new time coming that does not tire of man.
00:31Minutes later, U.S. Cardinal Robert Provost was revealed as the 267th leader of the Roman
00:37Catholic Church. It comes after two days of deliberation between 133 cardinals in conclave
00:43in Vatican City and one failed vote. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he was greeted by cheers
00:53as he made his first appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the new pontiff
00:58thanking his predecessor Pope Francis and repeating his calls for peace.
01:02Doviamo cercare insieme come essere una chiesa missionaria, una chiesa che costruisce i ponti,
01:11il dialogo, sempre aperta a ricevere come questa piazza con le braccia aperte a tutti, tutti
01:20coloro che hanno bisogno della nostra carità, la nostra presenza, il dialogo, l'amore.
01:26Born in Chicago, 69-year-old Provost becomes the first American to fill the role of Pope.
01:32Although he's considered as much a cardinal from Latin America, with Peruvian nationality,
01:37and because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru, the former leader of
01:41the Augustinian Order was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. His time in the Catholic
01:47Church hasn't been without controversy, accused of concealing sexual abuse.
01:52But in Chiklaio, where he served as a bishop and across the U.S., faithful as celebrating
01:57his papacy.
02:01I am very excited and blessed by the election of the new Pope, especially because he is from
02:06Chiklaio. My son and I came because he is happy and joyful. We know what kind of person
02:12Provost is. We know that he will continue much of Pope Francis' legacy.
02:17I feel a connection also because he's a Cubs fan.
02:19Despite a history of criticizing U.S. policies under President Donald Trump and Vice President
02:30J.D. Vance on social media, Trump has called Provost's election a great honor.
02:36Leaders across the globe are also sending their congratulations and well wishes.
02:40Taiwan President Lai Ching-da saying Taiwan hopes to continue working with the Vatican to
02:45pursue peace, justice and religious freedom. Comments echoed by Australian Prime Minister
02:50Anthony Albanese.
02:52This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere. May the papacy of Pope
02:59Leo advance the cause of peace and social justice for all humanity.
03:05Viewed as a centrist, much remains to be seen about Pope Leo and the direction he will take
03:09the Catholic Church. He shares beliefs with the late Pope Francis on helping migrants and
03:14acting against climate change. But his stance on equality for women in the church and LGBTQ
03:20plus rights have been questioned.
03:22After emphasizing the need for peace in his first address, analysts believe he will follow
03:27in the footsteps of Francis, focusing on making change in social justice issues.
03:32I think that we're going to see this new Pope continue Pope Francis's initiatives towards
03:37economic justice and against sort of the privations of globalization.
03:42As Pope Leo steps into his new position, he will serve 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
03:49And as news of his appointment spreads to faithful across the globe, the future of the Catholic
03:54Church is in his hands. Ryan Wu and Rosie Greninger for Taiwan Plus.
04:02Thank you for joining us.