“Peace Be With You All!”: A Historic Papal Greeting

On May 8, 2025, the world watched as white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, followed by the joyful proclamation: Habemus Papam — “We have a Pope.” Then, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with three simple, powerful words:

“Peace be with you all!”

This first message — calm, universal, and deeply scriptural — set the tone for a pontificate that promises unity, healing, and humility.

Who Is Pope Leo XIV?

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born pope in Church history — and a fluent Spanish speaker with Spanish and French roots. He earned a math degree from Villanova University, entered the Augustinian order, and was ordained a priest in 1982. His life of service would take him from urban America to rural Peru, where he spent decades as a missionary, bishop, and eventually apostolic administrator.

A Missionary Heart with Global Experience

From Peru to Rome, Pope Leo XIV brings deep pastoral experience and a global vision. As bishop of Chiclayo, he worked closely with impoverished communities. He later became Prior General of the Augustinians and served in Rome within the Dicastery for Bishops, shaping global episcopal leadership.

What Kind of Pope Will He Be?

Leo XIV is expected to emphasize:

• Unity over division – especially among polarized Catholics

• Pastoral humility – rooted in years of service, not status

• Continued reform – particularly around transparency and accountability

• Inclusivity and listening – building on synodal priorities

His simple greeting, “Peace be with you all!” already signals a man of considered thought and deep conviction.

What’s Next for Pope Leo XIV?

Now that he has accepted the role, the new pope begins the early responsibilities of his pontificate:

• Mass with the Cardinals (“Missa pro Ecclesia”) — a formal mass to inaugurate his ministry

• Meetings with Curia and World Leaders — to set the tone for Vatican governance

• Official Papal Installment Ceremony — where he receives the Fisherman’s Ring

• First Pastoral Address — laying out his vision for the global Church

A Papacy of Peace and Renewal

Pope Leo XIV enters office at a time when the Church faces both deep wounds and growing global diversity. As the first American and former missionary elected to the See of Peter, he embodies a bridge between the global South and North — tradition and progress.

With his first words — “Peace be with you all” — Pope Leo XIV invites over a billion Catholics worldwide into a new chapter guided by compassion, clarity, and Christ.