Historic Moment

In a historic announcement on Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Vatican introduced the newly elected pope: Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV. His election marks a monumental milestone as he becomes the first North American pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

The Conclave and Election

The papal conclave convened on May 7, 2025, following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21. Out of 135 eligible cardinals, 133 participated in the voting process. After a brief conclave, the familiar white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling that a new leader for the Church had been chosen.

Who Is Robert Prevost?

Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Prevost entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. He later studied in Rome and served extensively in Peru, where he took on various pastoral and leadership roles.

In 2015, he was appointed bishop of Chiclayo, and under Pope Francis, he was later named Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America—two of the most influential positions in the Vatican.

The Meaning Behind the Name

By choosing the name Leo XIV, Prevost follows a line of popes who have drawn inspiration from their predecessors. The last pope to bear the name was Leo XIII, remembered for his social encyclicals and commitment to workers’ rights. This choice may reflect Pope Leo XIV’s dedication to social justice and continuity of Catholic tradition.

First Words and Outlook

Appearing on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with his first words: “Peace be with you all.” His papacy is widely seen as a symbol of renewal, unity, and a potential new era of interfaith dialogue and modernization within the Church.

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