The 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide have at last got a new pope after cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost on Thursday on the balcony above St Peter’s Square.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, elected as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, becomes the first American to lead the Catholic Church, marking a historic shift for the 1.4 billion faithful. Here’s what defines his groundbreaking papacy.
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago (September 14, 1955), brings a unique blend of American and Peruvian influences to the papacy. Ordained a priest in 1982, his career spans decades of missionary work in Peru and leadership roles, including as Prior General of the Augustinians (2001–2013) and Archbishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023). His appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023 positioned him as a key architect of global Church leadership, vetting bishop candidates worldwide.
Prevost’s rapid rise within the Vatican included elevations to Cardinal-Deacon (2024) and Cardinal-Bishop (February 2025), the latter tied to the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano. Notably, he championed Pope Francis’ reforms, integrating women into bishop selection panels and emphasizing humility in clergy. His bilingual address (Italian and Spanish) from St. Peter’s balcony underscored his multicultural approach, echoing his motto “In Illo uno unum” (“In Him, we are one”) .
As the first Augustinian pope and second from the Americas, Leo XIV signals continuity with Francis’ social justice legacy while navigating geopolitical tensions. His critiques of U.S. immigration policies and advocacy for marginalized communities hint at a papacy balancing pastoral warmth with doctrinal steadiness. “He wades into the mud to help others,” remarked a Peruvian colleague, foreshadowing a hands-on leadership style.
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