Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, marking a historic moment as the first-ever pope from the United States. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
A moderate figure with a long history of service within the Church, Prevost, 69, was closely aligned with Pope Francis and had spent years as a missionary in Peru. His election was announced to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, where a jubilant crowd celebrated the new pontiff.
Born in Chicago, Prevost’s career has been marked by his diplomatic and pastoral approach, which earned him respect both within the Curia and among the wider Church. Prior to his election, he served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, advising Pope Francis on appointments of new bishops, and was appointed as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023.
Prevost’s tenure in Peru, which began in 1985, focused on working with communities in remote areas, a priority also championed by Pope Francis. His reputation as a bridge-builder within the Church was key to his selection, as Vatican observers had placed him among the top contenders for the papacy, particularly among U.S. cardinals.
The Vatican praised his grounded, soft-spoken nature, with Italian newspaper La Repubblica calling him “the least American of the Americans.” Known for his deep understanding of canon law, Prevost has earned the confidence of more conservative cardinals, who appreciate his theological grounding.
“I cannot turn back,” Prevost said in a recent interview, reflecting on the future of the Church following Pope Francis’s death. “We have to see how the Holy Spirit wants the Church to be today and tomorrow.”
Born on September 14, 1955, Prevost’s early education included a degree in mathematics from Villanova University and a masters in divinity from Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union. He later completed a doctorate in canon law in Rome. Prevost joined the Augustinian order in 1985, which led him to Peru, where he served for over a decade before returning to the U.S. and taking on leadership roles within the Augustinian order.
In 2014, he returned to Peru as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo and was made a cardinal in 2023. His election to the papacy marks a culmination of decades of service, including his diplomatic efforts within the Vatican’s key administrative roles.
Prevost’s leadership, which blends pastoral care with a global perspective, is expected to guide the Church through a new era, addressing contemporary issues while remaining committed to traditional Church teachings.