On May 8, 2025, history was made when Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was elected as the first American pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement came from the Vatican in Vatican City, where 133 cardinals from 70 countries gathered in a secretive conclave to choose the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025. This event marks a new chapter for the Catholic Church, with Prevost stepping into the role as the 267th pope.
Who Is Pope Leo XIV?
Born on April 4, 1955, in Chicago, Robert Prevost grew up in a working-class family with deep Catholic roots. He joined the Augustinian order in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982.
Prevost has served in various roles, including as a missionary in Peru, where he worked in remote communities for over a decade. Since 2023, he has led the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office responsible for selecting bishops worldwide. His experience spans pastoral work, administration, and global outreach, making him a respected figure among cardinals.
Prevost has lived in the United States, Peru, Italy, and briefly in Mexico, giving him a broad perspective on the Church’s global mission. Known as a moderate, he emphasizes compassion, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. He has spoken out on the need for the Church to address poverty and climate change while maintaining traditional teachings.
In a 2023 interview, he said, “The Church must be a bridge, not a wall, bringing people together in faith and love.” This reflects his vision of a Church that is inclusive yet grounded in tradition.
The Selection Process
The papal conclave began on May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City. The process is steeped in centuries-old tradition, with cardinals under 80 years old eligible to vote.
Of the 252 cardinals, 133 participated, requiring a two-thirds majority (89 votes) to elect a pope. The conclave is held in secrecy, with cardinals swearing an oath to maintain confidentiality. Their phones are confiscated, and the Vatican jams airwaves to prevent leaks.
Each voting round involves cardinals writing a name on a ballot, which is then read aloud and burned. Black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke indicates a new pope has been chosen.
On May 8, after multiple rounds of voting, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, and Vatican News announced, “Habemus Papam!” (We have a pope!). Prevost was revealed as the new pontiff, greeted by cheers from thousands in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy on May 8, 2025, immediately after his election. He delivered his first Urbi et Orbi blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressing the world with the words, “Peace be with you all,” as reported by Gulf News. His formal inauguration, the Papal Inauguration Mass, is expected to take place within days, likely on May 11 or 12, 2025, following Vatican tradition.
Facts About This Historic Event
- First Non-European Pope Since 1523: While Pope Francis was from Argentina, Prevost is the first North American pope in history. The last non-European pope before Francis was Adrian VI from the Netherlands, elected in 1522.
- Youngest Pope in Decades: At 70 years old, Prevost is one of the youngest popes elected in the modern era, potentially allowing for a longer papacy compared to recent predecessors like Pope Francis (elected at 76) or Benedict XVI (elected at 78).
- Record-Breaking Diversity in Conclave: The 2025 conclave was the most diverse in history, with cardinals from 70 countries, reflecting Pope Francis’ efforts to globalize the Church. Prevost’s election as an American underscores this shift toward a less Eurocentric papacy.
Prevost’s election has sparked global interest due to the rarity of an American pope. The United States, despite being a global superpower, has never produced a pontiff, partly because of concerns about mixing political influence with the papacy.
However, Prevost’s moderate stance and missionary background made him a unifying choice. Posts on X captured the excitement, with users noting his Chicago roots and calling him a “bridge-builder” for the Church.
His worldviews align with Pope Francis’ legacy, focusing on the “peripheries” of the world—regions and communities often overlooked.
Prevost has advocated for stronger environmental policies, citing the Amazon’s deforestation as a moral issue. He also supports dialogue with other faiths, having worked closely with Muslim leaders in Peru. However, he remains firm on core Catholic doctrines, balancing progressive outreach with orthodoxy.
As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost faces challenges like addressing the Church’s role in a polarized world, tackling clergy abuse scandals, and navigating geopolitical tensions.
His first major address is anticipated during the inauguration Mass, where he may outline his priorities. For now, the world watches as this Chicago-born missionary takes the helm of the Catholic Church, bringing an American perspective to a 2,000-year-old institution.
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