POPE LEO XIV ELECTED: CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST AMERICAN POPE
Vatican City, May 8, 2025 – In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first American pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old Augustinian friar and bishop emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thunderous applause, uttering his first words as pope: “Peace be with all of you!”
Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelization in his inaugural address, speaking in Italian, Spanish, and Latin. He thanked his fellow cardinals for selecting him and expressed gratitude to his former diocese in Peru, where he served as a missionary and bishop.
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV spent most of his career overseas, studying in Rome and serving in Peru from 1985. He became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 and was appointed as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America by Pope Francis in 2023 ¹
– President Donald Trump congratulated Pope Leo XIV, expressing excitement to meet him and stating it’s “such an honor” to have an American pope.
– Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, expressed local pride, tweeting: “Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!”
Observers anticipate Pope Leo XIV will focus on social justice, environmental concerns, and pastoral care for marginalized communities, building on the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, known for his social teachings ¹.
As the Catholic Church embarks on this new chapter, Pope Leo XIV’s papacy is expected to bring a unique perspective, blending his American roots with his Peruvian citizenship and global experience.
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