Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been officially elected the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
Cardinal Robert Prevost unveiled as the new Pope
The announcement was made on Thursday, 8 May 2025 after the fourth ballot of the papal conclave, following the death of Pope Francis in April.
Pope Leo XIV becomes the 267th pope and the first American to ever lead the global Catholic Church. He is also the first English-speaking pope since Adrian IV, and the first from the Augustinian religious order in more than eight centuries.
The 69-year-old’s name was announced from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Even before he appeared, crowds had gathered and were chanting “Viva il Papa,” which means “Long live the Pope.”
In his first address, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, saying:
“We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us,” and encouraged the faithful to “advance together, hand in hand with God.”
What we know about Cardinal Robert Prevost
Born in Dolton, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on 14 September 1955, Robert Prevost was raised in a working-class family with strong Catholic values. He served as an altar boy and completed his schooling at St. Augustine Seminary High School.
He later earned a mathematics degree from Villanova University and a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
He joined the Augustinian Order in 1977, took his final vows in 1981, and was ordained a priest in 1982. Fluent in several languages including Spanish, Italian, and French, he served for many years in Peru, where he taught, led religious communities, and supported local congregations.
Pope Francis had appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru in 2015. In 2023, he became prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key role overseeing bishop appointments worldwide — a position that elevated his profile ahead of the conclave.
Now Pope Leo XIV, he brings decades of international pastoral and leadership experience to the role. He is seen as a bridge between the Church in the Global South and the Vatican, having lived and worked across Latin America, the United States, and Europe.
Leo XIV’s papacy begins at a time of major global and religious challenges, including issues of climate change, social inequality, and Church reform. In the past, he has spoken strongly against environmental destruction, calling for responsible stewardship of nature. At a 2024 seminar, he said, “Dominion over nature should not be tyrannical.”
Though he is viewed as traditional on some Church teachings, he is also known for promoting unity and dialogue. As pope, he will be expected to guide over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide through the evolving challenges of the 21st century.
From the streets of Chicago to the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV’s journey is one of deep faith, global mission, and a commitment to service. His leadership marks a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church.
