American Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected New Pope, Takes Name Leo XIV
American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new Pope, succeeding Pope Francis as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The 69-year-old, who has a background in missionary work in Peru, will be known as Pope Leo XIV. His election, announced by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, marks a historic moment as he becomes the first Pope from the United States.
Unpacked:
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, is an Augustinian who worked as a missionary in Peru, where he became Bishop of Chiclayo and a naturalized Peruvian citizen. He also served in several Vatican congregations and held leadership roles within the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.
His election is historic because he is the first pope from the United States and the first Augustinian to become pope. This marks a significant shift in the global representation of the Catholic Church’s leadership.
In Peru, he served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, was apostolic administrator of Callao, and held leadership positions in the Peruvian Episcopal Conference. He established a diocesan Commission on Integral Ecology and contributed to Caritas Peru.
An American pope may bring new perspectives to global Catholic issues, potentially influencing church priorities, especially in the Americas. His background in Latin America and the U.S. may shape the Vatican’s approach to social, ecological, and cultural challenges facing the Church worldwide.