American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new Pope of the Catholic Church on Thursday, May 8, after a papal conclave that spanned two days and four rounds.
Cardinal Prevost chose the name Pope Leo XIV, becoming the 267th head of the Catholic Church, succeeding the late Pope Francis.
Prevost's election was historic, as he became the first American to ascend to the papacy in the long history of the Catholic Church. Interestingly, he also becomes the second consecutive Pope from the Americas, following his predecessor, Pope Francis, who hailed from South America.
His election came as a surprise, with many observers initially favouring Italian cardinals Pietro Parolin, Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as potential successors to Pope Francis.
But who exactly is Cardinal Prevost? Before his ascension to the papacy, the 69-year-old was the head of the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, in charge of vetting nominations for senior clergy around the world.
The role, bestowed upon him by the late Pope Francis, was preceded by his role as the head of the Chiclayo diocese in Peru from 2014 to 2023.
Even so, he had spent close to 30 years as a missionary, serving as the Director of Formation for Augustinian seminarians, pastor of parishes, and a canon law expert. In his time in Peru, he was known for building strong ties with local communities and clergy and even got Peruvian citizenship in 2015.
Prevost was also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a job that kept him in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in a region of the world that still counts the most Catholics.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Italian, French and Spanish descent, Pope Leo XIV served as an altar boy and is a member of the religious Order of St. Augustine (O.S.A.), which he entered in 1977, making his solemn profession in 1981.
Being in the O.S.A. means that a person is a member of a Catholic religious order that follows the Rule of St. Augustine, living a life of community, prayer, and service, inspired by the teachings and example of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the great early Church Fathers.
Pope Leo XIV studied mathematics at Villanova University (a Catholic university run by the Augustinians). He later earned a Doctorate in Canon Law (JCD) from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.
Pope Leo XIV was ordained to the priesthood on June 19, 1982. In 2020, he was appointed a member of the Congregation for Bishops. Pope Leo XIV was then elevated to Cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023.
He is expected to be officially inaugurated as the new Pope a few days from now in a solemn and symbolic ceremony known as the Papal Inauguration Mass. It follows the election of the Pope in the conclave and includes several ancient rituals that affirm his new role as Bishop of Rome and universal pastor of the Catholic Church.
There have been 13 popes named Leo, many of whom were influential in shaping Church doctrine and defending its authority. The name “Leo,” which means “lion” in Latin, has strong associations with courage, leadership, and doctrinal strength.
In choosing Leo as his papal name, this could signal resolve, theological clarity, and pastoral courage as the new Pope embarks on his new role.
In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor, Francis. "We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us," he said.
"United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together," he told cheering crowds.
As 80 per cent of the cardinals who took part in the conclave were appointed by Francis, it is not all that surprising that someone like Prevost was elected, even if he was only recently appointed.
He will be seen as a figure who favoured the continuity of Francis' reforms in the Catholic Church. Prevost is believed to have shared Francis' views on migrants, the poor, and the environment.
Global leaders, including fellow countryman and US President Donald Trump and key European heads of state and government, offered their congratulations for the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s time as the pontiff is expected to be under intense scrutiny given that he comes from a country where Catholics are not as prevalent, with other challenges such as wars, migration issues, and global geopolitics rampant.
