Introduction to a Historic Event
When Pope Leo XIV was voted the successor to the late Pope Francis, a surprise guest was spotted in the crowd – Harry Styles. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the singer was present at the historic moment in Saint Peter Square in the Vatican.
Harry Styles Spotted at the Vatican
In a circular photo shared online, Styles was seen wearing a blue jacket, sunglasses, and a gray baseball cap. This sighting is not the first time the Grammy winner has been spotted traveling the world after the end of his Love on Tour. Styles has been keeping busy, participating in a marathon in Tokyo in March and joining a London Run Club in April.
The Election of Pope Leo XIV
After the death of Pope Francis in April at the age of 88, Catholic cardinals elected the first American Pope, Robert Prevost, a missionary born in Chicago. Prevost, who is also a Peruvian citizen, took the name Leo XIV and became the 267th Pope to head the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order spent his career in Peru.
A New Era for the Catholic Church
Despite concerns about a US Pope due to the country’s geopolitical power, Prevost was reportedly a leading candidate for the papacy. The Catholic cardinals had been preparing for the conclave, even watching Edward Berger’s drama film Conclave as a "helpful research instrument" to learn more about the process of selecting a new Pope.
A Unique Preparation for the Papacy
In an interview on NBC Chicago, Pope Leo XIV’s older brother, John Prevost, revealed that his brother had watched the film Conclave before the conclave to know how to behave. This unusual preparation is a testament to the significance of the event and the weight of responsibility that comes with being the Pope.
Remembering Pope Francis
Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American Pope, died on April 21 after a stroke that led to heart failure. The conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV was the first since Francis’s election in 2013, marking a new era for the Catholic Church.
