Robert Prevost, of Haitian descent, becomes first US pope, takes name Leo XIV
Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois plays historic role in electing new pontiff
by The Haitian Times May. 08, 2025
Overview:
Robert Prevost, a Chicago native and longtime missionary in Peru, has been elected as the first pope from the United States, choosing the name Leo XIV. Among the electors was Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois, who made history as Haiti’s first cardinal to participate in the sacred conclave.
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press | Additional reporting and editing by The Haitian Times
Update, May 9, 2025: The brother of Pope Leo XIV confirmed to The New York Times that Pope Leo XIV has Haitian ancestry through his maternal grandfather, who listed “Hayti” as his birthplace in U.S. census records. The pope’s family descends from Creole people of color in New Orleans, part of a broader migration that helped shape Black Chicago—where the pope was born in 1955. Joseph Martinez—Leo XIV’s grandfather—was born in Haiti and married in New Orleans in 1887.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.
In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.
Prevost had been a leading candidate for the papacy, but there had long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the country’s geopolitical power already wielded in the secular sphere. But Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent. He brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. And in January he elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals. As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.
The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave. Priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as the crowd shouted “Viva il papa!”
Waving flags from around the world, tens of thousands of people waited to learn who had won and were shocked when an hour later, the senior cardinal deacon appeared on the loggia and said “Habemus Papam!” and announced the winner was Prevost.
He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.
The last pope to take the name Leo was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church’s confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism.
Haitian participation in a historic conclave
Among those casting ballots to elect Leo XIV was Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois, bishop of Les Cayes and the first Haitian ever to take part in a papal conclave. His participation marked a historic milestone for Haiti, offering the Caribbean nation a voice in one of the Church’s most sacred decisions.
Langlois’ vote underscored the increasing representation of leaders from marginalized and underrepresented regions, including those like Haiti, which has long faced political instability and natural disasters. His role reflects the Church’s ongoing commitment to elevating voices from the global south, a shift championed by Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV’s election came on the second day of the conclave, which began after the death of Pope Francis last month. The conclave process followed centuries-old traditions, with cardinals writing their selections on paper ballots and sealing them in an urn before the votes were tallied.
Prevost succeeds Pope Francis, who was widely known for his efforts to modernize the Church and amplify the voices of poorer nations. Observers now watch closely to see how Leo XIV will continue or diverge from that path.
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National Center of Haitian Apostolate |
April: Month of Haitian Choirs
https://youtu.be/VPUI3wRSUu0?si=BIsiNaRBp_Xdb3sE
The staff of the Weekly Bulletin of the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad has declared April the Month of Haitian Choirs. This is an opportunity for all of us to thank and recognize the tremendous work of our choir members within the Church and in our faith communities. Our choirs are truly a source of hope and a gold mine for our Church.
The ministry of our choir members helps many people develop a good relationship with God. Singing is always praying twice. We are often delighted to participate in a Eucharistic celebration with the fine performance of a good choir. Sometimes we arrive at Mass feeling very sad, tired, and with family problems and unpaid bills. A choir's song can help us clear our minds and place ourselves completely in God's hands.
The month of Haitian choirs will end for us at Radio Télé Solidarité, which will run until May 25, 2025, the date of Haitian Mother's Day and the Haitian choir concert. Many of our choirs are beginning to mobilize for this great evening of recognition and solidarity among choirs. The Radio Télé Solidarité studio is open for broadcasts with members of our choirs. Some of them are already over 40 years of existence and play a very important role in our faith communities. We urge them to always be lights and role models within our faith communities.
Yes! It is good to express our joy and gratitude to God through song. This is one of the reasons why we will be holding a major concert with Haitian choirs on May 25th. Choirs from the 10 dioceses of Haiti and the diaspora are invited to sing for the glory of God in this concert of unity and solidarity among Haitian choirs. Finally, allow me to conclude with this verse from the prophet Isaiah:
"Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon him; make known his deeds among the peoples; make mention of his great name! Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things; let them be known throughout all the earth!" (Isaiah 12:4-5)
Brother Tob
Phone: 631-334-7494
Email:
IDB boosts Cap-Haïtien hospital funding to $100M amid Haiti’s healthcare collapse
During his visit to the northern city on May 7, the Inter-American Bank’s president, Ilan Goldfajn, also signed an agreement to revise the city’s $125 million water and facelift program amid questions over management and accountability
by Onz Chéry May. 09, 2025
THE HAITIAN TIMES
Overview:
During his visit to Cap-Haïtien, the capital city of the Northern Department, Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn announced Tuesday an increase in funding for the renovation and expansion of the city’s Justinien University Hospital from $85 to $100 million. Additionally, Goldfajn agreed to revisit a $125 million water, sanitation and hygiene project.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — The president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, announced on Tuesday an increase in funds for the renovation and expansion project of Cap-Haïtien’s Justinien University Hospital from $85 million to $100 million. Goldfajn, invited by the Haitian government seeking a greater financial boost from the multinational bank, made this commitment on behalf of the institution during his four-day stay in Cap-Haïtien. The head of the IDB also signed an agreement for a revised $125 million program focused on water supply and improving sanitation and hygiene conditions in the city.
“We’re happy to announce that we’re increasing the program’s budget from $85 to $100 million to strengthen health services in Haiti’s North,” Goldfajn posted on X about the funding for Justinien University Hospital’s (HUJ, per its French acronym) renovation and expansion project.
“There are challenges, but we are partnering for the benefit of the people of Haiti.”
The project’s first phase will consist of revamping the hospital’s emergency and surgical rooms. Then, the officials will proceed with renovating and expanding other areas. Goldfajn added that the IDB is also helping provide healthcare services for over a million Haitians.
Founded in 1890, the JUH is one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Haiti. However, this center, which welcomes hundreds of medical students for internships annually, is nearly devoid of resources. Poor working conditions, inadequate management, a lack of equipment and a series of strikes in recent years have destabilized the hospital and endangered patients’ health. Often, healthcare workers do not treat patients unless they pay for medical supplies upfront. Patients frequently crowd into the hospital, indicating a need for more space.
Additionally, the hospital has only two restrooms, which are typically unsanitary, leading patients or their family members to urinate in the courtyard. Despite its importance, healthcare remains one of the many neglected sectors in Haiti’s dysfunctional system.
Therefore, increasing funding for Cap-Haïtien’s main public hospital is a positive step forward, some residents say. However, Haitians fear that the project will either remain unfinished or fail to meet expectations, as seen in the past.
For instance, despite a $35 million project financed by IDB to address the waste management problem in Cap-Haïtien, the issue remains largely unresolved. The IDB has also funded a drainage project in Cap-Haïtien, yet the city floods anytime it rains.
“Is it me, or do these things never start, finish, or just disappear after a while? “Or am I tripping?” Pierre Paul, a Detroit resident, said on May 7 about IDB’s projects in Haiti.
IDB projects in Haiti worth $670 million over five years
Although many Haitians are dissatisfied with IDB’s work in Haiti, the bank has invested over $670 million in projects in the country over the past five years. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, it has proposed $243 million in grant resources. Approximately $140 million of this fund is designated for a youth skills program to address the gang recruitment problem and for rehabilitating the emergency room and surgical ward at the Cap-Haïtien hospital, according to a press releasefrom the financial institution.
As for the water, sanitation and hygiene program, Goldfajn stated that the goal is to bring clean water to over 130,000 households and strengthen essential services in both urban and rural areas in the north.
“Quite an impact!” Goldfrajn said. “We are adapting our work to Haiti’s fragile context and improving delivery.”
Goldfrajn has yet to provide further details on the hospital’s renovation and expansion, nor the region’s other projects financed by IDB. The institution has not replied to The Haitian Times’ interview request with Goldfrajn.
Goldfrajn landed in Cap-Haïtien on May 7, and as of May 8, has visited Justinien University Hospital and École Mère Anne-Marie— a Catholic school where IDB is helping provide hot meals for students alongside the World Food Program (WFP). The IDB president also visited Caracol and Codevi, two industrial parks supported by the bank. He will visit the Hugo Chavez Cap-Haïtien International Airport to explore a possible expansion project there as well.
Providing jobs from the projects
Goldfajn also hopes the projects will help create jobs in Cap-Haïtien. On May 7, he discussed job creation with Transitional Presidential Council President Fritz Alphonse Jean and Finance Minister Alfred Metellus.
“Jobs mean more than income—they bring stability and strengthen communities,” Goldfajn remarked on his social media post. “This is why we are focused on enabling conditions: energy, skills, connectivity, and infrastructure. The IDB is honored to help bridge public policy and private investment to shape a recovery plan that delivers for Haitians.”
This marks the first time a multilateral development bank president has visited Haiti in years. According to the IDB press release, Goldfajn traveled to Haiti after the Haitian government invited him.
As hospitals close, ancestral leaf remedies sustain health and tradition in Haiti’s northeast
Rural Haitians turn to ancestral remedies, fueling a thriving trade that keeps traditional healing alive
by Edxon Francisque May. 06, 2025
THE HAITIAN TIMES
Overview:
In Haiti, the trade in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves is a centuries-old practice, deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the country. It meets both the health needs of the populations, who use these natural remedies to treat various problems, and their economic needs, by providing a source of income to many families.
FORT-LIBERTE—Madame Georges ‘Madan Jòj’ Joseph gathers a handful of fresh green leaves, inhaling their sharp, earthy scent, before gently returning them to the pile in front of her at the Ouanaminthe Communal Market, where she sits daily. In her hometown of Les Perches, about 18 miles from Ouanaminthe, in Haiti’s northeastern region, the knowledge of using medicinal plants is more than tradition—it’s a way of life. ‘Madan Jòj’ is part of a generation that carries forward a cultural legacy built on the healing power of leaves. But she is only one among many.
In the open market, ‘Madan Jòj’ sits on her “ti chèz ba” creole for a low chair in a designated space for leaves known for their medicinal healing properties. Before her, a variety of leaves are laid out, with a constant flow of people coming and going.
“Most women come here to buy leaves for treating many ailments like cysts, fibroids, asthma and men buy leaves to treat men’s problems,” Joseph said, explaining how a lot of their customers can’t afford to pay for clinics or hospitals in Ouanaminthe. “And with all the hospitals closing, people are turning more and more to leaf remedies.”
“A person who knows and trades in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves can meet the many needs of people”
Exavier Milius, a father of 12 children and a lover of the leaves.
normal
With Haiti’s limited formal healthcare system, “remèd fèy” has long served as a vital alternative. Families turn to these plants for everything from stomach aches to respiratory infections—and even for boosting sexual vitality. Over generations, communities have transformed this ancestral knowledge into a thriving trade.
The doktè fèy—Creole for “leaf doctor”—is a respected healer who selects, prepares, and advises on medicinal plants, known as remèd fèy, used to treat a variety of ailments. Often farmers themselves, they either grow the plants or source them locally to craft traditional remedies. In their communities, these healers are trusted figures, called upon at any hour to offer care and guidance.
Jonathan Joazard, 79, is one such healer, part of a long line of doktè fèy in the region. He has been giving such advice since his younger years. Although blind now, Joazard still plays a vital role in preserving these ancestral practices. Locals continue to visit him for advice and plant-based remedies, as he is a living link to generations of this knowledge in Fort-Libertè.
“For those who know plants well, it is our biggest pharmacy that can cure everything,” Joazard, a natural plant and leaf healer and trader in Fort-Liberté.
Across the region, dozens of hands—from farmers to pickers and vendors to processors and consumers—sustain the ancient medicine guide drawn directly from the land. The trade in medicinal plants is a crucial part of Haiti’s local economy, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. For families like Madan “Jòj’, the income from selling these plants not only enhances their livelihoods but also supports the preservation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
Times.
Ancestral knowledge as Haiti’s unofficial pharmacopoeia
These rural ‘doktè fèy’ practitioners tap into ancestral wisdom to treat a wide range of ailments, using nature as both their pharmacy and guide. Their practice combines knowledge of medicinal plants, traditional rituals, and a profound spiritual connection to the natural world. From physical issues like fever, pain, and headaches to emotional struggles such as grief, stress, and mental distress, they offer personalized care that acknowledges the unique complexity of each individual’s health.
“I think nature gives us everything we need to stay healthy,” says Exavier Milius, a medicinal leaf enthusiast and father of 12 children
Many plants are prized for enhancing sexual health. Remedies made with Zo devan, jouk li jou, and bwa kochon are especially popular for boosting libido and performance naturally.
“These plants are a blessing for men who don’t want to waste their money,” says Belony Christella.
“These leaves are like natural diamonds. You just have to find them and prepare them to work their magic.”
Belijan Augustin, a leaf seller at the Ouanaminthe Communal Marketnormal
“They’re a kind of prevention for those entering old age, and for others who don’t want to rely on chemicals,” adds Phaïca, a 28-year-old woman who uses the leaf-based remedies to enhance her partner’s vitality.
Among the most commonly used medicinal plants in the northeast are those like Lyann mòl, kase sèk, lyann legliz, fèy kowosòl, and lamitye. These plants help maintain good health during winter and spring, particularly for women and children who face persistent coughs.
“These leaves are like natural diamonds. You just have to find them and prepare them to work their magic,” says Belijan Augustin, a leaf seller at the Ouanaminthe communal market.
Healers use a variety of plants to treat common ailments, with specific remedies for different health issues. For instance, plants like Kou barik, Bwa ti gason, and safran help alleviate pain, especially for older women dealing with joint pain or stomach discomfort during colder months. Others, such as bwa savan, pwa kongo frize, and chòché, are used to combat infections, while plants like fèy lougarou are sought after for their ability to help regulate hypertension and balance blood pressure.
Herbal teas are commonly used to treat ailments ranging from digestive to respiratory issues. Medicinal oils, made by macerating leaves in vegetable oils, are applied for massages, skin conditions, or aromatherapy. Ointments, created by mixing plant extracts with a fatty base like shea butter, target skin irritations, burns, and joint pain. Bottles, made with plant extracts and alcohol like kleren lakay, kleren Saint Michel, or kleren Gran Nò, are used for conditions such as premature ejaculation or stomach pain in older women.
The marketing of medicinal plants
The growing interest in natural remedies has led to a significant increase in the commercialization of medicinal plants. Local markets and street vendors offer a variety of plants, ranging from popular species like moringa, lemongrass, and ginger to more region-specific varieties. This popularity stems from the power of the tradition of natural medicine, passed down over generations.
“People are becoming more aware of the benefits of natural remedies, and we are taking advantage of the opportunities this creates for those of us who collect and sell these plants,” Joseph said.
“Nowadays, when I buy 10,000 HT Gds or $ US 76 of leaves, it does not last a week. I have to purchase more,” she said.
Medicinal plant trade: A vital link in Haiti’s economy and health
The trade in medicinal plants is a crucial part of Haiti’s local economy, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. It involves various key players. Local farmers, the backbone of this industry, are producers and harvesters; they are the healers. They do not just sell raw plants; many of them also specialize in processing plants to create products such as infusions to treat. These plants are then sold to vendors, middlemen or women, or street sellers, some of whom also serve as traditional healers. Though informal and unstructured, this trade plays a vital role in both the economy and the well-being of the communities.
One crucial link in the supply chain is the processor, who transforms raw plants into products like infusions, essential oils, and concentrated extracts. While processing methods may vary, they typically rely on traditional techniques that preserve the plants’ natural properties.
“With the leaves, avocado seeds, coconut oil, and makristi oil, I prepare oils to promote hair growth,” says Cherlande Honoré, a young woman from Ouanaminthe who specializes in producing hair oils.
“We believe in quality to ensure the effectiveness of our products,” Honoré adds. “That’s why we do everything by hand, without chemicals.”
Besides individuals, local businesses and cooperatives are also involved in the processing of leaves into herbal teas, oils, or ointments, selling to consumers who look after these products for their health needs.
“With the profits I make from selling medicinal plants, I take care of my family, pay my children’s school fees, and pay the rent,” said “Madan Jòj”.
“A person who knows and trades in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves can meet the many needs of people,” Milius said.
As economic hardships deepen and formal healthcare options continue to shrink, the enduring trade in medicinal plants offers more than just remedies—it offers resilience. For vendors like Madan Jòj and the generations to follow, each handful of leaves carries centuries of wisdom, a connection to the land, and the hope that through nature, communities will continue to heal and thrive, one leaf at a time.