Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago has been elected as the 267th pope, making history as the first pontiff from the United States. At 69, he chose the name Pope Leo XIV and stepped into the leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
On Thursday evening, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeting the thousands gathered in the square with the words, “Peace be with you all.” Dressed in traditional papal robes, he honored the late Pope Francis and called on the Church to continue its mission of unity, charity, and dialogue.
“We must be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges, shows charity, and enters into dialogue with love,” Pope Leo XIV said in Italian. He then addressed the people of Chiclayo, Peru, in Spanish, where he had served for years as a missionary and bishop. His deep ties to Latin America and his long global service played a crucial role in his swift election, which came just two days after the conclave began.
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who shifted the Church’s focus away from divisive debates on sexuality and doctrine, instead championing the poor and vulnerable. Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue some of these reforms while forging his own path.
As the former head of the Vatican’s office overseeing bishop appointments, Pope Leo XIV is regarded as a calm and capable leader. He also led the Augustinian order for over a decade and holds both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship.
World leaders have welcomed his election. President Donald Trump called it a “great honor” for the United States, while Peru’s President Dina Boluarte praised Pope Leo XIV for walking with the poor and embracing the hopes of her people. Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, offered prayers for Pope Leo XIV’s leadership.
Challenges lie ahead for the new pontiff. He must navigate a divided Church, address the ongoing clergy abuse crisis, and consider how to respond to global conflicts. While Pope Francis took significant steps to improve transparency and accountability, critics argue that much work remains.
In a past interview, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the progress made and the work still to be done, saying, “There is still much to learn.”
Pope Leo XIV’s papacy begins just ahead of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, a global celebration that will place him at the center of major religious events. How he balances tradition with reform, diplomacy with doctrine, and continuity with change will define his legacy.
Related Readings:
