Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new pope, succeeding the late Pope Francis and becoming the first American to hold the position in the history of the Catholic Church. Taking the name Leo XIV, he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the world, just over an hour after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signaling his election.
His selection marks a historic shift for the Church, as an American pope has long been viewed as unlikely. Traditionally, the papacy has gone to leaders from countries outside major global powers. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old Prevost is an Augustinian friar who has spent much of his ministry in Peru. He graduated from Villanova University in 1977.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In these roles, he advised the pope on the appointment of new bishops and guided the Church’s engagement across Latin America, according to the Catholic News Service.
Moments before Prevost stepped onto the balcony, the Pontifical Swiss Guard took their positions in St. Peter’s Square as the crowd below erupted in celebration, waving flags from across the globe. It was Cardinal Dominique Mamberti who first emerged to formally announce the identity of the new pope, setting the stage for Pope Leo XIV’s historic introduction.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. These influential positions placed him at the heart of Church governance—recommending candidates for episcopal appointments and shaping the Church’s pastoral strategy in Latin America, a region home to more than 40% of the world’s Catholics, according to the Catholic News Service.
Before his election, Prevost was widely respected for his deep pastoral experience and cross-cultural ministry. Born in Chicago, he joined the Augustinian Order and spent much of his priesthood in Peru, where he served in various leadership roles, including as bishop of Chiclayo. His years in Latin America gave him a profound understanding of the region’s challenges and spiritual vibrancy, which informed his work at the Vatican.
As anticipation built in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontifical Swiss Guard assumed their ceremonial positions, while thousands of faithful from around the world filled the square, cheering and waving flags.
The moment was set in motion when Cardinal Dominique Mamberti stepped onto the balcony to deliver the traditional Latin phrase, “Habemus Papam,” announcing the Church’s new leader.
Emerging shortly after, Prevost introduced himself to the world as Pope Leo XIV, a name steeped in historical significance. The last pope to bear the name, Leo XIII, served from 1878 to 1903. He is remembered for his efforts to reconcile the Church with the modern world, particularly through his landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum, which laid the foundation for Catholic social teaching. By choosing this name, Pope Leo XIV may be signaling a renewed emphasis on social justice, engagement with contemporary issues, and a continuation of reform in the spirit of his predecessors.
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