Stacy M. Brown, Senior National Correspondent for Black Press USA, is reporting that a new Pope has been chosen. For the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, an American has been named to the coveted role. Native Chicagoan Cardinal Robert Prevost, has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV and will succeed the wildly popular Pope Francis, who died last month. Brown writes:
“The announcement came from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Cardinal Dominique Mamberti followed centuries-old tradition, delivering the proclamation in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum — Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you news of great joy — We have a pope!”) Prevost, 69, succeeds Pope Francis, who led the Church from 2013 until his death last month. His election followed a conclave that included high-profile contenders such as 76-year-old Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and 65-year-old Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reactions poured in as word of the historic election spread. “Wow,” tweeted Tacuma Roeback, managing editor of the Chicago Defender. “The first pope from America was born in Chicago.” Former Obama adviser David Axelrod added, “Holy smokes!! An American Pope! From CHICAGO!!!” Retired journalism professor Seth Abramson posted, “The first American Pope, Leo XIV, has just been elected. Prevost, from Chicago, is deemed to be in the mold of Pope Francis — a progressive. Yes, this is real.” (END OF EXCERPT)
It is also being reported by Helen Nevitan of the Shreveport City Rossier Advocate the Pope has Haitian and Creole roots. He has ancestral ties to Chicago’s Seventh Ward according to genealogists at the Historic New Orleans Collection.
This story is developing.
Read Stacy M. Brown’s article in entirety at Black Press USA.
This news brief was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow The Burton Wire on IG or Meta @BurtonWireNews.
