Habemus Papam! Everything You Need To Know About The New Pope - ONE JOURNAL

Berita Lainnya - 20 May 2025

On May 8, 2025, a new pontiff was elected following the conclave held within the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Former cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is a 69-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, making him the first ever North American pope. Moreover, Pope Leo XIV has a unique educational background compared to most popes, holding a degree in mathematics. So yes, the new pope understands not just sin, but also cos and tan.

So, without further ado, here are some more fun facts about the newly appointed Holy Father!

Pope Leo XIV holds dual citizenship—American and Peruvian. He spent 20 years in Peru, serving as the bishop of the Chiclayo Diocese, making him a naturalised citizen. In fact, the country has proudly embraced him as one of its own, celebrating his election with great joy.

In addition to having English as his first language, the pontiff is also fluent in six other languages: Italian, Latin, French, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. With that kind of linguistic ability, just imagine how effortlessly he can connect with people from all over the world.

Funnily enough, the pope’s older brother revealed that Pope Leo XIV watched Conclave, a 2024 film dramatising the Vatican’s papal selection process, to prepare for the event, completely unaware that his life was about to change because of it.

In his spare time, the new pope enjoys playing tennis, taking long walks, and reading. His older brother also mentioned that he enjoys playing games such as Wordle and Words With Friends, and he was even reported to have managed to sneak in a quick game of Wordle before the conclave started.

From languages to hobbies, Pope Leo XIV brings a sense of relatability to his papacy. It will be interesting to see how he leads the faith of Catholics in the coming years.

Writer: Aurel Jolyn Japutra X-4

Editor: Keiko Kanaya Manli X-4