Pope Leo XIV Becomes First American Pontiff
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old Illinois native is the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, following the death of Pope Francis. His election was announced Thursday, May 8, after two days of conclave deliberations in the Sistine Chapel.
Prevost, ordained in 1982, spent much of his career in Peru, where he became a naturalized citizen and held various clerical roles. He later served as Bishop of Chiclayo and was appointed to key Vatican positions by Pope Francis, including Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Known for his fluency in Spanish and Italian and his centrist approach, Pope Leo is considered a bridge between tradition and progress. In his first address from St. Peter’s Basilica, he greeted the crowd with: “Peace be with you.”
Charities and clergy have praised his commitment to social justice and his humility. “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince,” he once said, “but called authentically to be humble… to walk with [the people].”
