The aphorism about the many fathers of success manifests in initial reports about the ascension of Bishop Robert Prevost to the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo has many natal roots, from America through Latin America and even Nigeria.
The first US-born pope will be number 267th occupant of the throne of Saint Peter. He will be Pope Leo XIV.
Chicagoans exulted with the BBC reporting online someone exclaiming, “Oh my God, he is one of us”.
The one-of-us theme persisted throughout. Pope Leo led the Augustinian mission. The Nigerian chapter quickly released photos of his visit to Nigeria.
Louis Prevost, the Pope’s younger brother, confirmed his lifelong interest, devotion, and dedication to the Catholic Church. His childhood was centred on religion rather than “playing with bows and arrows. ”
Read also: Pope Leo XIV urges ‘desperate’ response to global crisis of faith in first mass
He was born in Chicago in 1955 to parents with roots in Spain, and France/Italy. He became a priest in 1982.
He served in Peru and even became a citizen. They also claim him in Peru.
Historic Firsts
• First American Pope: Leo XIV is the first pope born in the United States, marking a historic milestone for the Catholic Church.
• Dual Citizenship: He holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship, reflecting his deep ties to both North and South America.
• First Augustinian Pope: He is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, a significant development in the Church’s religious orders.
• First from an English-speaking country since the 12th century: The last was Adrian IV.
FROM PRIEST TO POPE IN ONE DECADE
Nigerians shared insights, analysis, and commentaries on the elevation of Pope Leo XIV
Ten years ago, Robert Francis Prevost, OSA, was a simple priest labouring in a difficult mission in Peru. 10 years later, he is the Pope! Here is how God “created” Prevost’s story in ten years.
2014: Pope Francis appointed Fr. Prevost as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru.
2015: Prevost is appointed as Bishop of Chiclayo.
2019: Bishop Prevost is appointed as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy.
2020: Bishop Prevost is appointed as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops.
2020: Bishop Prevost is appointed as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Callao in Peru.
2021: Pope Francis had a private audience with Bishop Prevost in Rome, sparking speculation about a new role in Chicago (where he hails from) or in Rome.
2023: Bishop Prevost is called from Peru to Rome and appointed as Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops, where he oversaw the evaluation and recommendation of episcopal candidates worldwide.
2023: Bishop Prevost is appointed as President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
2023: Bishop Prevost is created a Cardinal.
2023: Cardinal Prevost is appointed as a Member of Seven Vatican Dicasteries: Doctrine of the Faith; Evangelisation; Eastern Churches; the Clergy; Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Culture and Education; and Legislative Texts.
2023: Cardinal Prevost is appointed a member of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.
2025: Cardinal Prevost is promoted from the rank of Cardinal Deacon to Cardinal Bishop and assigned the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano.
2025: Cardinal Prevost is elected 267th Pope.
Lesson: Never doubt God’s plan for your life. Nothing and nobody can stop God’s will from coming to fruition in your life. In the blink of an eye, God can change your entire story! In ten years, God moved Prevost from being a priest to being the Pope! God can work through any human instrument and often God does so in mysterious ways. Just keep doing your work faithfully.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo jabs Peter Obi and earns online rebuke.
Citizen Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia quickly responded to the claims by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo about the significance of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Anambra State. Many citizens took exception to the comment that has now overshadowed the visit. Many felt the Governor introduced politics to the issue needlessly.
Ikechukwu Onyia wrote:
Soludo made a statement that some of us have to correct him during President Tinubu’s visit.
“The last time a president visited for a commissioning was in 2012 for a brewery”
– Gov. Chukwuma Soludo
The statement is viewed as an attempt to attack Obi, whom Governor Soludo has never shied away from attacking at every opportunity, right from the 2023 Presidential election campaign.
Now, let me set the record straight as a citizen of the state who has been following events in our state for years.
In 2012, President Jonathan visited Anambra State and commissioned:
(1) Inaugurated Orient Petroleum Oil.
(2) SabMiller Brewery
(3) Orange Drugs Company
(4) Krisoral Company
(5) Onitsha Inland Port
(6) 8 lanes Onitsha Head Bridge, Enugu-Onitsha expressway to Umunya with a new parts bridge Nkpor.
Among others.
Read also: Tinubu endorses Governor Soludo for re-election in Anambra
Above listed are some of the triggers to economic growth of the state. I therefore state that the very statement from Soludo was demarketing of the state.
In 2010, President Jonathan visited Anambra State and commissioned:
(1) Anambra State University Teaching Hospital.
(2) Anambra State Secretariat
(3) Kenneth Dike Library
(4) Anambra State Emergency Management Complex
(5) Parental Drugs Factory of Juhel Pharmaceutical Industries
(6) So many roads example, Zik’s Avenue Awka to Nkpor road and Bridges.
(7) The commissioning of the National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control, NAFDAC’s upgraded ultra-modern area quality control laboratory, at Agulu, Anambra State and many other projects.
• The commissioning of the assembly plant of the first indigenous Nigerian auto manufacturing company in Nigeria, Innoson Motor Manufacturing in Nnewi, Anambra State.
President Obasanjo had earlier visited during Peter Obi’s era in 2006/2007.
Projects Commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo are as follows:
(1) Onitsha Business Park: A strategic initiative aimed at boosting commerce and industry in the region.
(2) Revenue House in Awka: Established to improve the state’s revenue collection processes.
(3) Anambra State Fire Service Headquarters in Awka: Built to enhance emergency response capabilities.
(4) Flagging off of Awka-Nibo-Nise-Enugwu Ukwu ring road
So it was sad to read Soludo said that what he said.
I have been trying to read what my governor marketed to the visiting President or what he used the opportunity to market as the chief salesman of the state, in his position as the governor, but I am so disappointed with his statement, which did not add any value to the state.
– Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia II
Senate President Akpabio adds one more suit against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The war in the senate between suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan received an extension on Thursday, as Senate President Akpabio sued
Akpoti-Uduaghan over a satirical apology letter.
The Senate President’s legal team wants an Abuja High Court to compel Natasha Uduaghan to withdraw from all her social media accounts the video where she makes fun of her assumed apology to the Senate President.
Akpoti-Uduaghan published the video on 27 April. In it, she offered a mock apology to Akpabio for not allowing him to have his way with her.
