Pope Leo 'relaxed' in immense new role, brother says in exclusive interview
The brother of Pope Leo XIV says the former cardinal seems "relaxed" and "at ease" in his new role as spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics.
Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected pope in a historically brief conclave last week.
He is the first US-born man to sit on the papal throne.
READ MORE: Pope Leo calls for peace in Ukraine, Gaza ceasefire release of hostages
John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, speaks to 9News. 9News
His brother John travelled to Rome from Chicago to celebrate with his brother after the election.
John Prevost told 9News that he had dinner with the new pope and shared Sunday mass with him at the tomb of Saint Peter in the Vatican.
"I think he's relaxed. I think he's kind of at ease," Prevost said.
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Pope Leo XIV delivers his blessing from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica for his first Sunday blessing after his election, in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
"I think he realises the responsibility that lays on his shoulders. And I think he will do just fine."
Prevost said his brother "knows what he's doing".
Pope Leo XIV held his first Sunday noon prayers in Saint Peter's Square on the weekend, calling for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, and the release of Hamas's remaining hostages.
"I, too, address the world's great powers by repeating the ever-present call 'never again war,'" Leo said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to an estimated 100,000 people below.
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Leo was elected as pope last week. AP
Leo quoted Pope Francis in denouncing the number of conflicts ravaging the globe today, saying it was a "third world war in pieces."
"I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people," he said. "Let everything possible be done to achieve genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible."
As a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru, at the start of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, then-Bishop Robert Prevost had not minced words in assigning blame to Moscow.
According to a clip of a TV interview on the Peruvian show Weekly Expression, circulating in Italian media Sunday, Prevost said it was an "imperialist invasion in which Russia wants to conquer territory for reasons of power given Ukraine's strategic location."
In his remarks Sunday, Leo also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for humanitarian relief to be provided to the "exhausted civilian population and all hostages be freed."
Leo also noted that Sunday was Mother's Day in many countries and wished all mothers, "including those in heaven" a Happy Mother's Day.
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