Pope Leo XIV: A New Roman Bishop

The new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has officially taken on the role of bishop of Rome. This is a big deal because it shows his commitment to the city and its people. He made this official during a special ceremony at the St. John Lateran Basilica. This basilica is like the main church for the city of Rome. He attended a Mass there with local priests and followers. Leo XIV is the first American to hold this position. He has a lot on his plate, leading a church with over 1. 4 billion followers worldwide. Because of this, he has a vicar to help with the day-to-day tasks in Rome. This way, he can focus on the bigger picture. The ceremony at St. John Lateran was not the only event. Leo XIV also visited the St. Mary Major basilica. Before that, he had been to the St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica. Along with St. Peter’s Basilica, these four are the most important churches in the Western world. Rome is gearing up for a big event. The city is preparing for a Holy Year, which happens every 25 years. This year is special because it coincides with Leo XIV’s election. The city has been working hard to get ready, with lots of construction and improvements. They expect millions of visitors in 2025. Leo XIV has big plans for his time as bishop. He wants to serve all Romans, not just during the Holy Year, but beyond. He spoke about his "serious but passionate responsibility" to the people of Rome. He also quoted St. Augustine, saying he is a Christian with them and a bishop for them. He even went so far as to say, "For you and with you I am Roman! " Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, he was known as Robert Prevost. He took over from Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope. Francis passed away on April 21 and is now buried at St. Mary Major, near a famous icon of the Madonna.