May 8, 2025
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. His election marks a historic moment as he becomes the first American and first Augustinian friar to become pope.
In a historic conclave decision, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 268th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The announcement was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening, following the traditional white smoke signaling a successful papal election.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV becomes the first American and first Augustinian friar to assume the papacy. He brings decades of pastoral and missionary experience, particularly from his years serving in Peru, where he is widely respected for his commitment to social justice and the poor.
Educated at Villanova University and ordained a priest in 1982, Prevost served as general prior of the Augustinian Order before being appointed bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015. In 2023, Pope Francis named him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, placing him in a key leadership position within the Vatican.
In choosing the name Leo XIV, the new pope honors Leo XIII, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights and deep engagement with the challenges of modern society. Observers suggest the name signals a continuation of Pope Francis’s progressive and pastoral legacy.
In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV called for unity and peace, pledging to lead the Church with humility, compassion, and openness:
“Let us walk together as a Church of mercy, hope, and justice, embracing every corner of the world with love.”
Global leaders have welcomed the election, with many praising the new pope’s experience in Latin America and his commitment to reform. His papacy is expected to focus on healing internal divisions, promoting social justice, and reinforcing the Church’s global mission in a rapidly changing world.
