‘I’m Roman,’ Pope Leo says, as he turns into the bishop of Rome : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1344x896+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F37%2F07%2F45370453446798aead584f5dbecd%2Fap25145583911989.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1344x896+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F37%2F07%2F45370453446798aead584f5dbecd%2Fap25145583911989.jpg" class="img" alt="Pope Leo XIV presides over a Mass in the St. John Lateran Basilica, formalizing his role as bishop of Rome in Rome on Sunday." fetchpriority="high"/> Pope Leo XIV presides over a Mass within the St. John Lateran Basilica, formalizing his position as bishop of Rome in Rome on Sunday. Gregorio Borgia/AP cover caption

toggle caption

Gregorio Borgia/AP Pope Leo XIV declared himself a Roman on Sunday, in a ceremonial step to formalizing his position as bishop of Rome.

The bishop of Rome is one in every of many titles held by the pope.

On his strategy to the St. John Lateran Basilica for the ultimate steps to tackle the position of bishop of Rome, the pope stopped at Piazza Venezia within the heart of Rome to satisfy with the mayor of the town, Roberto Gualtieri.

Talking earlier than a crowd, Gualtieri mentioned the town of Rome is able to accompany the pontiff "to affirm the paradigm of a brand new politics," and ended his speech by welcoming him: "We're pleased that Rome is now your metropolis," as translated by Vatican Information.

The primary pope from the US responded to Gualtieri's remarks, affirming his dedication as bishop of Rome. The pope mentioned: "In the present day I can say in a particular manner that I'm a Roman, with and for you," because the Vatican information service translated.

Margaret Susan Thompson, a professor of historical past at Syracuse College whose analysis focuses on faith and politics, mentioned Leo is not going to be "notably concerned within the day-to-day governing or administrative accountability" as bishop of Rome. These duties are often delegated to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, often known as a vicar, she mentioned.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fec%2Fd2840b3346dcae904c27c1d20381%2Fap25145535409880.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fec%2Fd2840b3346dcae904c27c1d20381%2Fap25145535409880.jpg" class="img" alt="Pope Leo XIV waves upon his arrival at the Arch Basilica of St. John Lateran where he will presides over a Mass and takes possession of the Roman Cathedra, formalising his role as Bishop of Rome, in Rome, Sunday, May 25, 2025." loading="lazy"/> Pope Leo XIV waves upon his arrival on the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome on Sunday. Andrew Medichini/AP cover caption

toggle caption

Andrew Medichini/AP Relating to his assertion declaring himself a Roman, Thompson mentioned it was largely "a symbolic gesture" somewhat than "a press release repudiating his United States or Peruvian citizenship."

The pope was born in Chicago and spent twenty years in Peru, the place he gained citizenship.

The assertion speaks to his "specific sense of pastoral accountability to the individuals of Rome," Thompson advised NPR.

Though the present pope is the primary from the US, the final three popes earlier than him weren't Italian both, famous Thompson. "It isn't a governing assertion. It is an vital symbolic assertion and pastoral assertion."