Pope Leo XIV presides over a Mass within the St. John Lateran Basilica, formalizing his function as bishop of Rome in Rome on Sunday.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
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Gregorio Borgia/AP
Pope Leo XIV declared himself a Roman on Sunday, in a ceremonial step to formalizing his function as bishop of Rome.
The bishop of Rome is one in all many titles held by the pope.
On his solution to the St. John Lateran Basilica for the ultimate steps to tackle the function of bishop of Rome, the pope stopped at Piazza Venezia within the middle of Rome to fulfill with the mayor of town, Roberto Gualtieri.
Talking earlier than a crowd, Gualtieri stated town of Rome is able to accompany the pontiff “to affirm the paradigm of a new politics,” and ended his speech by welcoming him: “We are happy that Rome is now your city,” as translated by Vatican Information.
The primary pope from the USA responded to Gualtieri’s remarks, affirming his dedication as bishop of Rome. The pope stated: “Today I can say in a special way that I am a Roman, with and for you,” because the Vatican information service translated.
Margaret Susan Thompson, a professor of historical past at Syracuse College whose analysis focuses on faith and politics, stated Leo won’t be “particularly involved in the day-to-day governing or administrative responsibility” as bishop of Rome. These duties are normally delegated to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, generally known as a vicar, she stated.
Pope Leo XIV waves upon his arrival on the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome on Sunday.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
Relating to his assertion declaring himself a Roman, Thompson stated it was principally “a symbolic gesture” somewhat than “a statement repudiating his United States or Peruvian citizenship.”
The pope was born in Chicago and spent 20 years in Peru, the place he gained citizenship.
The assertion speaks to his “particular sense of pastoral responsibility to the people of Rome,” Thompson informed NPR.
Though the present pope is the primary from the USA, the final three popes earlier than him weren’t Italian both, famous Thompson. “It’s not a governing statement. It’s an important symbolic statement and pastoral statement.”
