Robert Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV, First American to Lead Catholic Church
White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel in Rome to make history on May 8th. The Vatican confirmed that the cardinals had elected a new pope. That man is Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff born in the United States.
Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after the traditional Latin phrase was announced: “Habemus Papam.” His first message was brief and centered on calm.
“Peace be with you all,” he said to the crowd. “This is the first greeting of the resurrected Christ, the good shepherd who has given up his life for God. And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and our families.”
Prevost was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955 to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He joined the Augustinian order as a young man and became a priest in 1982. His early career led him to Peru, where he lived and served for decades, later becoming the bishop of Chiclayo. In 2023, Pope Francis brought him to Rome to lead the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office that oversees global bishop appointments.
At age 69, Pope Leo XIV now steps into one of the most visible religious roles on the planet. He takes over after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away in April at 88.
The selection took place inside the Sistine Chapel over two days. A total of 133 cardinals from around the world participated. To be elected, a candidate needed at least 89 votes, or two-thirds of the total. The decision came after four rounds of voting.
Key facts:
- Name: Pope Leo XIV
- Birth name: Robert Francis Prevost
- Born: September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois
- Religious order: Augustinian
- Past roles: Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru; Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Papacy began: May 8, 2025
- Votes required to elect: 89
- Number of electors: 133
- Ballots cast: 4
Shaped by North and South
The new pope’s background, shaped by both North and South America, could make him a unifying figure. He has worked across cultures and has seen the Church’s work from the ground up, not just from within Vatican walls.
While the challenges ahead are serious, ranging from secularism to internal reform, his first message stayed focused on something simple: peace.
More…
- https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/new-pope-conclave-day-two-05-08-25
- https://apnews.com/live/conclave-pope-catholic-church-updates-5-8-2025
- https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/08/world/pope-conclave-news
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/cardinal-elected-pope-papal-name.html
- https://www.overhereny.com/cardinals-begin-conclave-to-elect-new-pope/