The first joke of the new Pope: applause from media people
For the powerful of this world, encounters with the world press are sometimes a trip to the ice. Pope Leo XIV has mirror -blank marble under his feet this Monday morning. When he enters the stage of the audience hall in the Vatican from the left through a heavy wooden door, the game has already been won. Hundreds of media professionals, journalists and their companions rise from their chairs. The enthusiastic applause for the new Pope does not want to die away.
The first public joke of the pontificate
Leo XIV sits on the white chair in the middle of the stage, but then rises again for the clapping. The hall cheers, the applause gets louder, takes a minute. The Pope, happy, but also embarrassed in view of the reception, then asks her hands for a little less excitement. Leo XIV has not yet said a word that he has already conquered the world press. « Habemus Papam! » One roars from the back rows.
Of course, many Catholic, the Vatican and the Church are also weighed in the hall. But even you can feel this moment when tingling benevolence wants to undermine a critical, distant attitude. You can only accept or suppress this feeling, it is there. « Buongiorno, Good Morning, » says the Pope in English. When clapping at the beginning, it doesn’t matter. « But if you are still awake and still applauded … » The first public joke of the pontificate.
Leo XIV. Apparently plans to travel Turkey and receives invitation from Kyiv
It is that First public audience by Leo XIV. With a bourgeois name Robert Francis Prevost. The Pope gives them to the media. An opportunity to get a little closer to the American born in Chicago? The distance is large, about 40 meters. Prevost, who is said to have buried his head between his hands, when his choice of Pope in the Sistine Chapel in the Sistine Chapel inevitably seemed inevitably, now reads his text. Questions are not provided. « We will get to know each other better over time, » says Leo XVI. To the journalists.
On the edge of the audience it becomes known that Pope Leo XIV is on the phone with the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in the morning and he invited the Pope to Ukraine. It also said that the Pope plans a trip to the 1700th anniversary of Nicea’s Council that it would be his first trip abroad. The late Pope Francis therefore wanted to travel to Turkey on May 24th.
Pope warns journalists to disarm her language
In the audience, applause came up when Leo die Freilaire detained journalists demands. « Let us free the communication of all prejudices, resentments, fanaticism and hatred, » says the Pope. Communication is necessary « that is able to listen ». « Let’s disarm the words and we will help to equip the world. »
The papal blessing for the rapporteurs follows, quite a few pray. A few previously selected people can shake their hands on the Pope. A reporter of the Washington Post his notebook can be signed by Prevost. A Peruvian colleague puts Leo a traditional scarf.
A journalist asks whether he might want to take part in a benefit game as a tennis lover. « The main thing is that Sinner is not there, » replies the Pope. The Italian Jannik Sinner is the leader in the tennis world rankings. Four days before the election, Prevost is said to have played tennis for the last time. A lot of sport is now hard to think for him.
When the Pope leaves the hall through the central aisle, journalists put on him, microphones hold his hand, kiss his hand. After a few minutes of great excitement, this small, remarkable man has disappeared again.
