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Pope Leo: Find out why Robert Prevost adopted “Pope Leo XIV” as title

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Pope Leo XIV | Pope Leo XIII

Various permutations are currently going on globally over what may have prompted Cardinal Robert Prevost to adopt “Pope Leo XIV” as his official title as a successor of Pope Leo XIII. Have you been wondering the same?

Before we surge forward, it could be remembered that Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reported that Cardinal Prevost, a Chicago-born priest, emerged as the new pope.

Prevost was named the 267th Pope on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Read more below:

BREAKING: American Cardinal—Robert Prevost emerges new pope

At first glance, one will be caught with the magical semblance evident among the two Popes.

An observer even noted that they closely resembled each other that they could easily pass for twins.

However, beyond semblance what else do we know about them? Let’s dig…

Pope Leo XIV

is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State since 2025. He is the first North American to be elected pope.

According to records obtained from Wikipedia, Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Prevost spent the early part of his career working for the Augustinians in Chicago.

He would later serve in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998 as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator.

He served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023 and was general of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013.

Prevost was made a cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis and was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

He would later become the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023.

As a child, he served as an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church on the far South Side of Chicago.

Prevost completed his secondary studies at the minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine in 1973.

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He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at Villanova University, Pennsylvania, U.S., in 1977.

When Prevost decided to become a priest, he joined the Order of St. Augustine in September 1977.

He would take his first vows in September 1978 and his solemn vows in August 1981.

He was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Prevost was ordained a priest by Archbishop Jean Jadot for the Augustinians in Rome on June 19, 1982.

He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1984 and a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1987 from St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Prevost jserved as chancellor of the Territorial Prélature of Chulucanas in Peru from 1985 to 1986.

He returned to Peru in 1988, spending the next ten years heading the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, teaching canon law.

He also served as judge of the regional ecclesiastical court and a member of the College of Consultors of Trujillo.

In 1999, Prevost returned and became provincial of the Augustinian Province of Chicago.

In 2001, he began a six-year term as Prior General of the Augustinians, later a second six-year term in 2007.

From 2013 to 2014, Prevost served as director of formation in the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago, as well as first councilor and provincial vicar of the province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.

In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru and titular bishop of Sufar.

He received his episcopal consecration on in 2014 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Chiclayo, and in 2015 was named bishop of Chiclayo.

In 2019, Prevost was appointed a member of the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome and apostolic administrator of Callao in Peru 2020.

Francis named him same year a member of the Congregation for Bishops.

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Within the Episcopal Conference of Peru, Prevost served on the permanent council for the 2018 to 2020 term.

In 2023, Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and was later appointed cardinal-deacon of Chapel of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani in Rome.

He promoted him to cardinal-bishop in 2025, assigning him to the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano in the Province of Rome.

On 8 May 2025, the second day of the 2025 papal conclave, Prevost became the first Pope from North America.

He took the papal name Leo XIV, following on from Leo XIII.

Leo XIII in 1810 to 1903

According to data mined from Wikipedia, Pope Leo XIII was born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci on 2 March 1810.

Pecci was head of the Catholic Church from 20 February 1878 until his death in July 1903.

He enjoyed the fourth-longest reign of any documented pope and the third-longest verified reign.

He is well known for his intellectualism and attempts to align the Catholic Church to modern thinking.

In 1891, Pope Leo outlined the rights of workers to a fair wage, safe working conditions, and the formation of trade unions.

He also affirmed the rights to property and free enterprise, opposing both socialism and laissez-faire capitalism.

With that encyclical, he became popularly titled as the “Social Pope” and the “Pope of the Workers”.

He was credited with creating the foundations for modern thinking in the social doctrines of the Catholic Church.

He influenced the Mariology of the Catholic Church and promoted both the rosary and the scapular.

In 1837, Pope Gregory XVI appointed the 27-year-old Pecci as personal prelate even before he was ordained a priest on in 1837 by the Cardinal Vicar Carlo Odescalchi.

Shortly thereafter, Gregory XVI appointed Pecci as Papal legate (provincial administrator) to Benevento, the smallest Papal province.

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The main problems facing Pecci were a decaying local economy, insecurity from widespread bandits.

Others were pervasive Mafia or Camorra structures, which were often allied with aristocratic families.

Pecci arrested the most powerful aristocrat in Benevento and his troops captured others, who were either killed or imprisoned by him.

With public order restored, he turned to the economy, reforming the tax system to stimulate trade with the neighboring provinces.

Upon his election in 1878, he immediately sought to revive Thomism, the theological system of Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas.

He referred to Thomism as the official political, theological and philosophical foundation for the Catholic Church.

Pecci sponsored the Editio Leonina in 1879 as a result.

Leo XIII is particularly remembered for his belief that pastoral activity in political sociology.

He stressed it is a vital mission of the church as a vehicle of social justice and maintaining human rights and dignities.

Leo XIII issued a record of eleven papal encyclicals on the rosary, earning him the title of the “Rosary Pope”.

In addition, he approved two new Marian scapulars.

He was the first pope never to have held any control over the Papal States.

It had been dissolved by 1870 since Stephen II in the 8th century.

Similarly, many of his policies were oriented towards mitigating the loss of the Papal States in an attempt to overcome the loss of temporal power.’

After his death in 1903, he was buried in the Vatican Grottoes.

His remains will be later transferred in 1924 to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

Evidently, aside from looks and papacy, there was nothing the two Pope Leos shared in common between them.

It is, however, left to be seen if Pope Leo XIV will deploy the reformation pattern of Pope Leo XIII.

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VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives

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IGP withdraws all policemen attached to Kogi ex-gov, Yahaya Bello

A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.

The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.

Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.

INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.

During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.

He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.

Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”

Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.

He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”

He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.

The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.

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He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.

Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”

Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.

The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.

He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.

Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.

Watch the video below.

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2027: ADC Coalition Deceiving Nigerians – Baba-Ahmed

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Labour Party vice presidential candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.

“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.

Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.

“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.

When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.

“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.

I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.

The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.

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Tinubu Secures Fresh $238m Loan from Japan

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria has secured a $238 million loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the expansion and modernization of the national power grid.

The deal, confirmed during engagements at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, reflects a strategic shift towards implementation-driven energy development.

President Bola Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9 focused on concrete, outcome-oriented partnerships rather than ceremonial diplomacy.

“We are moving from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results,” he said.

Details of the JICA Loan Project

The $238 million loan, supported by a Federal Executive Council counterpart funding of ₦19,083,192,805.30, will finance significant upgrades to Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.

Key components of the project include:

Construction of 102.95 km of new 330kV double-circuit lines

Construction of 104.59 km of 132kV double-circuit lines

Development of four 330/132/33kV substations and two 132/33kV substations

Multiple line bay extensions to improve efficiency and reduce system losses

According to Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the partnership with Japanese companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation is essential for unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential.

“Our focus is on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses.

This $238 million loan from JICA provides the backbone for that transformation,” Adelabu explained.

Adelabu acknowledged Japan’s consistent support for Nigeria’s power sector, highlighting contributions in infrastructure, technical studies, training, and financing.

He emphasized that JICA’s backing is critical to expanding access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity across the country.

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The project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission network, improve system reliability, and enhance overall efficiency, ultimately supporting industrial growth and meeting rising electricity demand nationwide.

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‘Misplaced Priority’: Peter Obi Blasts FG’s ₦142bn Bus Terminal Project

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has slammed the Federal Government’s approval of ₦142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across Nigeria, describing it as a reckless misplacement of priorities.

Obi issued a statement on Friday, August 22, via his Official X formerly Twitter platform, warning that the project reflects poor leadership and lack of focus in managing Nigeria’s limited resources. He titled his statement, “₦142 Billion for Bus Terminals.”

According to him, the true test of leadership is how scarce resources are prioritized.

He stressed that investing such a huge amount in bus terminals while critical sectors like healthcare suffer shows a government that is out of touch with citizens’ realities.

Obi said: “The difference between success and failure in any nation is how leaders prioritise resources.

The decision to spend ₦142 billion on six bus terminals exposes a lack of competence and vision. It is a clear sign of poor leadership.”

The Federal Executive Council had recently approved the funds for the construction of one modern bus terminal in each of the six geopolitical zones.

The government described it as part of efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and improve mobility nationwide.

But Obi strongly disagreed. He compared the allocation to healthcare funding, pointing out that the combined budget for all teaching hospitals and federal psychiatric centres in Nigeria is less than ₦100 billion in the 2024 budget.

“This is disturbing,” Obi continued, “because health remains one of the most critical sectors of development. Yet it is underfunded and deteriorating rapidly.

The World Health Organization has reported that over 20 million Nigerians live with mental health conditions.

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This is a tragic irony. How can the government ignore this crisis and focus on bus terminals?”

He argued that the health sector, alongside education and poverty reduction programs, deserves priority attention.

Obi insisted that until government spending reflects the real needs of Nigerians, the country will remain trapped in poor governance.

Many Nigerians have also taken to social media to express anger, echoing Obi’s concerns. Critics argue that the decision proves the Federal Government is disconnected from the economic struggles of ordinary citizens.

For Obi, the ₦142 billion project is not just a case of wrong timing.

He sees it as a clear example of governance failure and misplaced priorities.

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JUST IN: Benue Assembly Suspends Four Lawmakers

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The Benue State House of Assembly has suspended four lawmakers for six months after they allegedly attempted to impeach Speaker Aondona Dajoh on Thursday night.

The affected members are Alfred Berger of Makurdi North, Terna Shimawua of Kian constituency, Cyril Ekong of Obi constituency, and James Umoru of Apa constituency.

Their suspension was announced during Friday’s sitting.

Majority Leader Saater Tiseer raised a motion of urgent importance, accusing the four lawmakers of plotting to destabilize the assembly with what he described as an unnecessary crisis.

The House adopted the motion, and the Speaker ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the suspended lawmakers out of the chambers.

The suspension also triggered changes in leadership positions. Berger, who previously served as the Assembly’s spokesperson, was replaced by Audu Elias on the directive of Speaker Dajoh.

Tension had been brewing in the Benue Assembly in recent weeks, with divisions among members deepening over political alignments and governance issues.

Thursday night’s failed impeachment move reportedly escalated the crisis, leading to Friday’s disciplinary action.

The suspension marks another turbulent chapter in the state’s politics.

In recent months, the Benue Assembly has clashed over commissioner nominations, governance direction, and security concerns across the state.

Observers fear the latest crisis could distract the House from tackling pressing issues, including widespread insecurity and economic hardship facing residents.

Political analysts also warn that the suspension may further polarize members and deepen divisions in the ruling structure of the Assembly.

The development adds to Benue’s growing list of political confrontations, highlighting the fragile relationship between lawmakers and leadership in the state.

READ ALSO:  Fani-Kayode warns Buhari against arresting or killing Sunday Igboho

 

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