St James's welcomes Pope Leo XIV

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We all shared the joy of the news of the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Catholic Church. We pray for him that God will always guide him in guiding the church as a true shepherd of            all Catholics. Pope Leo, formerly known as Robert Provost was born in the United States in 1955.

He joined the Order of the Augustinians and worked in different countries including in Peru,                      South America where he served as a priest and then Bishop of Chiclayo. He was later appointed to          be one of the Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2023.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, one of 133 Cardinal-electors who took part in a Conclave that culminated in the proclamation of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, has spoken about the man who has succeeded Pope Francis as the 267th Supreme Pontiff.

Describing Pope Leo XVI as a “citizen of the world,” Cardinal Nichols explained why his life experience and Catholic ministry provide the necessary ingredients to lead the Catholic Church. Speaking at a press conference at the Venerable English College in Rome, on Friday, 9 May, Cardinal Nichols elaborated further on the qualities of Pope Leo XIV:

“He has a very gentle manner. He’s very calm. He’s clear in his mind, and can be decisive. I’ve seen him resolve difficulties, both organisational and personal, in a way that didn’t leave enemies behind him, and he can hold people together. In terms of governance, he has a doctorate in Canon law, so he knows how things should be done.”