The new Pope has been revealed as Robert Prevost of the US, the first American Pontiff in history.
He’ll be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Prevost, age 69, now Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955.
Prevost earned his bachelor’s in mathematics from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and went on to receive his diploma in theology from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.
He was later sent to Rome to study canon law at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University and was ordained as a priest in June 1982.
Later in his career, he taught canon law in the seminary in Trujillo, Peru.
He worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and served as bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, from 2014 to 2023.
He is a leader with global experience, he spent much of his career as a missionary in South America.
He most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.
In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV said to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, “Peace be with you all.”
“This is the first greetings 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.”
Leo XIV
Addressing the crowd in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, urging the crowd to remember his predecessor’s legacy.
“Let us keep in our ears the weak voice of Pope Francis that blesses Rome. The Pope who blessed Rome, gave his blessing to the entire world that morning of Easter. Allow me to follow up on that blessing. God loves us. God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail.”
Leo XIV
Having spoken in Italian, Leo XIV switched to Spanish — one of several European languages he speaks — to address his “beloved diocese” in Peru. “To my dearest beloved diocese in Peru, where a faithful people accompanied their bishop to share their faith with him, and who have done so much to be a faithful church,” he said.
Leo XIV called on the Catholic church to be a “synodal” church, “one which goes forward and which always seeks peace and to be close to those who suffer.”
During his remarks, Pope Leo XIV thanked his fellow cardinals for choosing him to lead the Catholic Church.
“I should also like to thank all my cardinal brethren who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united church. Always seeking peace and justice. Seeking to work with men and women who are faithful to Jesus Christ without fear to proclaim the gospel to be missionaries.”
Leo XIV
Leo XIV Outlines Vision
Pope Leo XIV outlined his vision for the Catholic Church as one that “builds bridges” and engages in conversation.
He said in his remarks on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, “We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue.”
The new Pope also called on people to “show our charity” to others “and be in dialogue with love.”
Few minutes later, US President Donald Trump celebrated the news that the college of cardinals elected its first American Pope. “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump wrote.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Donald Trump
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