Dear Siena Community,
Today, as the world watched, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, preceding a momentous announcement from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago, an Augustinian friar and missionary, has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American born pontiff, made his first remarks as pope in front of tens of thousands of onlookers. He made a call for peace and paid tribute to the late Pope Francis. He also quoted St. Augustine when he proclaimed, “With you I am Christian and for you I am bishop.”
The new pope also spoke of his desire to walk together with us in our search for truth, beauty and goodness – the presence of God in our lives. May we join Pope Leo in this humble and righteous pursuit:
“We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive… all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”
In the words of Pope Leo XIV, “let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the church and for peace in the world."
Tonight, in honor of this extraordinary election, the Siena dome will be lit in the colors of the Vatican flag.
Peace and all good,
Chuck