Roman Catholic Church Archives

Cardinal Robert Prevost is Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pontiff

After a two-day Conclave at the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and the 266th successor of St. Peter. "Peace be with you all." These were the first words of Pope Leo XIV as he made his first appearance on the balcony…

Cardinal Tagle: Papabile from the Philippines and the peripheries

As the college of cardinals prepare to take part in the coming conclave, Tagle's candidacy would not only embody Pope Francis’ legacy, but also project it forward. In many ways, Tagle stands as the living expression of the late Pope’s reforms: outward-looking, mission-driven and inclusive. If he gets elected, his…

Pope Francis, “a pope of mercy and compassion”

With so many global issues begging for his attention, the 266th successor to the throne of St. Peter focused on what heals the soul and what unites people as Christ would have done. As he once said, “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”…