Irish Examiner view: Welcome and best wishes for Pope Leo

Pope Leo has considerable challenges on his hands within the Church — financial issues, declining vocations, and, notoriously, the litany of sex abuse scandals involving the Church

The new Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, has made history already as the first American to be selected to head the Catholic Church. Picture: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

The white smoke streaming above the rooftops of the Vatican yesterday set off cheers in the waiting crowd in St Peter’s Square, and little wonder. The smoke heralded the election of a new Pope, of course, an event of huge significance which goes far beyond matters of faith.

The new Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, has made history already as the first American to be selected to head the Catholic Church. He is to be known as Pope Leo XIV in future, but his past will be examined closely over the coming days for indications of his papacy’s direction. Having spent years as a missionary in Peru, for instance, is he likely to be attuned to the needs of the Church in the developing world?