The 88th Banking Convention that was taking place in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, was suspended due to the election of the new Pope Leon XIV. The event was interrupted by the news that arrived from the Sistine Chapel, with the appearance of white smoke, indicating that a new leader of the Catholic Church had been chosen.
Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leon XIV, is an American citizen with Peruvian nationality born on September 14, 1955, making him a 69-year-old Pope. Before assuming the papal office, he held significant positions such as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America under Pope Francis.
His ecclesiastical career highlights include his experience as Archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru and as prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine. He received the designation of cardinal from his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, and he has been the first American and Peruvian to reach the highest position in the Holy See.
The news of the election of Pope Leon XIV took the attendees of the banking convention by surprise, generating moments of applause and emotion among those present. Fernando Solís Cámara, president of the Communication and Legislative Liaison Commission of the AMB, communicated the information to the audience, temporarily halting the activities of the financial event. Following the announcement, more details about the new pontiff and his background in the Catholic Church are expected to be revealed.
