American cardinal becomes pope Leo XIV, a voice for migrants
The new pope is Cardinal Robert Prevost from the USA, who has taken the name Leo XIV. The President of Colombia has already addressed the pope, urging him to "become a great leader for migrants around the world."
Leo XIV is 69 years old and has extensive experience serving in Peru. Cardinal Robert Prevost was recently the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He was considered one of the papabili.
Among the congratulations and comments from around the world, the one from Colombia was particularly notable.
"The new Pope Leo XIV is more than just an American. His direct ancestors were Latinos: Spaniards and French, and he himself lived in Latin America, in Peru, for forty years," reminded President of Colombia Gustavo Petro in his note.
"I hope he becomes a great leader for migrants around the world and brings encouragement to our brothers and sisters who are migrants from Latin America, who are humiliated today in the United States," appealed the President of Colombia.
"May you help us in building a great human force that defends life and overcomes the greed that caused the climate crisis and extinction of life. Chicago is a great progressive working-class city in the USA. I feel hope," added Gustavo Petro.
