Why Leo XIV elected as Pope? Ukrainian expert explains selection criteria
Photo: Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost's competence in numerous Vatican structures played a key role during the election of the new Pope, Ukrainian theologian and expert on interreligious dialogue Taras Dziubanskyi told RBC-Ukraine.
Leo XIV worked in Latin America for more than 20 years as a pastor and missionary. He is also a good manager, to whom former Pope Francis, after elevating him to the rank of cardinal, entrusted the responsibility of appointing all the bishops of the world — an extremely significant responsibility.
Another achievement of Leo XIV was that he was responsible for management in nearly 50 countries' Augustinian monasteries since he himself was an Augustinian monk.
“So as a pastor, as a manager, as a leader, and as a theologian, he proved himself very well. These were probably the criteria the cardinals considered while voting for this cardinal,” the expert explained.
Robert Francis Prevost became the new Pope
On May 7, the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church began a conclave to elect a new Pope. The first attempt ended without result, but by the next evening, an agreement was reached, as white smoke appeared over the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new Pope had been elected.
As his papal name, he chose Leo XIV. He became the first Pope in history who is a citizen of the United States.
In a separate article, RBC-Ukraine collected everything known about the new Pope.
