By Rose Kasigwa

The catholic community in Zombo district has welcomed the elections of the new pope, Robert Francis Prevost – who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV is now the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. He was elected pope in the 2025 conclave on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis.

Speaking to radio Paidha various catholic faithful have welcomed the election of the new   pope and have asked him to continue with the projects that were left by the deceased pope Francis which include; peace building in various parts of the world and continue strengthening faith among Christians of the catholic faith.

Mark Onyai from Paidha town council says that he has high expectations from the new pope that include; the pope advocacy to aid the disadvantaged groups including orphans, widows and refuges among other groups.

“Pope Francis left a big gap, we only pray the new pope starts from where pope Francis left ,” said Onyai

While Bob Sabity from warr says that the catholic community is excited about the election of the new pope expressing optimism that the new pope will be a unifying factor in the catholic faith and will go further in advocating for morals among the faithful including fight against  homosexuality among other evils.

“ We would have loved a pope to come from Africa but pope Leo XIV is not new in the  Vatican and we ask him to start from where Pope Francis stopped that is; peace building  in Africa especially , in South Sudan and DR congo,” Said Sabity.

Robert Francis Prevost, 69, is the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter.  He is the first American to fill the role of pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost dedicated his early clerical career to the Order of Saint Augustine.