Catholic

First American Pope – A Brief Biography

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Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church and the first American-born pontiff. He was elected on May 8, 2025, following the conclave that selected him as the successor to Pope Francis.

Early Life and Education

  • Born: September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • Citizenship: Holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru.
  • Education:
    • Villanova University (Degree in Mathematics and Philosophy)
    • Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (Theological Studies)
    • Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Canon Law)

Religious Career

  • Joined the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in 1977.
  • Ordained as a priest in Rome on June 19, 1982.
  • Served as a missionary in Peru, working in Trujillo for over a decade.
  • Held positions such as judicial vicar, professor of Canon Law, and parish administrator.
  • Became Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop appointments.

Papacy

  • Elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, after a two-day conclave.
  • Known for his missionary work, social justice advocacy, and reform-oriented leadership.
  • Delivered his first speech in Italian, Latin, and Spanish, reflecting his global pastoral experience.

Timeline of Key Events

YearEvent
1955Born in Chicago, Illinois
1977Entered the Order of Saint Augustine
1982Ordained as a priest in Rome
1985Sent to Peru for missionary work
1998Became judicial vicar and professor in Trujillo
2018Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
2025Elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope

Choosing A New Pope – Biblically Based?

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Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of churchianity. In this article, we take a look at the process of choosing a new Pope, which is based on Roman Catholic ceremony and tradition – not scripture.

Papal Ceremonies and Biblical Doctrine

While the Catholic Church bases its teachings on scripture, many papal ceremonies are rooted in tradition rather than biblical doctrine. The conclave, the papal coronation, and the rituals surrounding the election are not explicitly found in the Bible. Instead, they evolved over centuries as part of the Church’s governance structure.

Critics argue that certain practices—such as the vesting of the Pope in elaborate robes and the use of Latin in official ceremonies—reflect historical customs rather than biblical mandates. However, the Church maintains that these traditions uphold continuity and reverence within Catholicism.

The selection of a new Pope is a momentous event, steeped in history and ritual. While the process is not biblically mandated, it remains a defining aspect of Catholic tradition.

The Conclave Process

The election of a new Pope follows a centuries-old tradition rooted in secrecy and ritual. When a Pope passes away or resigns, the College of Cardinals—a body of senior Catholic officials—gathers in Vatican City to elect his successor in a process known as a conclave.

The conclave typically begins 15 to 20 days after the Pope’s death. Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, with the number of electors capped at 120. The process takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals swear an oath of secrecy before casting their votes.

Each cardinal writes the name of their chosen candidate on a ballot, which is then placed in a ceremonial urn. The votes are counted, and if no candidate secures a two-thirds majority, the process repeats until a consensus is reached. After each round, the ballots are burned, producing either black smoke (indicating no decision) or white smoke (signaling the election of a new Pope).

Once elected, the new Pope is introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he delivers his first blessing.

Churchianity: Rules For Thee, Not Me

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Bible Rebel continues keeping a watchdog’s eye on religious news and events, here’s the latest from the Vatican.

On Tuesday, Pope Francis sent a letter to U.S. bishops addressing the Trump administration’s immigration policies and criticizing Vice President J.D. Vance’s interpretation of the hierarchy of love starting with one’s family and extending outward.

Pope Francis’ own interpretation is that Christian love should be inclusive and compassionate towards all people, regardless of their nationality or legal status and that we should all be meditating on the parable of the Good Samaritan and promoting a fraternity that is open to all.

He argued that measures based on force rather than the inherent dignity of every human being are destined to fail.

Hold on just durn minute there, Mr. Pope – what about this from the Catholic New Agency on 1/15/2025?

“Vatican cracks down on illegal entry into its territory

The document also stipulates that unauthorized overflight of Vatican airspace, including through the use of drones, may be punished with prison sentences from six months to three years in addition to a fine that could reach 25,000 euros (about $26,000).

Anyone convicted of illegal entry will be banned from entering Vatican territory for a period of up to 15 years. If this sanction is breached, the offender may be punished with a prison sentence of one to five years.

In addition, the Vatican’s promoter of justice may summon any person who has committed an offense to appear before the court the day after receiving the complaint or immediately after questioning him.”

Hmmm, reminds me a bit of what Jesus said to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:7-9.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men…

Whatever your interpretation of ordo amoris, (Latin for “order of love”) shouldn’t it at least be consistent? Maybe the Pope needs to take a look in the mirror so he can better see how to remove that big ol’ beam lodged in there.

All of this is just another example of why people are fleeing churchianity – of all brands.

By the way, here is a one minute mini message on my own view of what “love thy neighbor” means.

Churchianity’s Abuse And Division

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Methodist Violence Over LGBTQ Schism

A headline from the Associated Press last month reads, ‘Deadly violence in Nigeria linked to breakup of United Methodist Church over LGBTQ policies’.

The article goes on to say, “A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service. The news service said the reported violence on Sunday stemmed from a schism in the worldwide United Methodist Church over its decision to repeal LGBTQ bans — and the ensuing formation of the new Global Methodist Church by breakaway conservative churches.”

Catholic Movement Dissolved Over Abuses

Also from the AP, Dissolution of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae: Pope Francis has dissolved the Peru-based conservative Catholic movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, following a comprehensive investigation that uncovered extensive sexual, financial, and spiritual abuses by its founder and leaders. This action reflects the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to address and rectify abuses within Church-affiliated organizations.

Across The Pond: Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns in Wake of Abuse Scandal

From The Times – It is right that Justin Welby resigned after the publication of the Makin review into the Church of England’s most prolific abuser, John Smyth. If the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, had acted with more resolution when they were made aware of the scale of Smyth’s offending then some boys he victimized might have been spared.

What’s Going On?

Do you notice a pattern in these three stories? I do – abuse and division. No wonder folks are fleeing religion in droves.

The words of Jesus come to mind.
Abuse: “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:2
Division: “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25

And no wonder the chief enemies of Jesus were the religious leaders of the time. He exposed them.

What are we as followers of Jesus doing to expose the ‘whited sepulchers’ of our day and time?