By Abdul Lauya
Robert Prevost has been elected as the first American pope, taking the name Leo XIV in a landmark moment for the Catholic Church.
The 69-year-old cardinal from Chicago is widely respected for his decades of missionary work in Peru and his role as a trusted Vatican official.
Born on September 14, 1955, Prevost studied mathematics at Villanova University before joining the Augustinian order and beginning his path in the priesthood.
He served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023, where he was known for championing social justice and pastoral outreach.
In 2023, Pope Francis elevated him to cardinal and appointed him to lead the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, a key role in shaping Church leadership worldwide.
Now the 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV inherits a Church grappling with internal divisions, declining clergy numbers, and unresolved abuse scandals.
Seen as a moderate and a consensus-builder, he is expected to emphasize healing and inclusion within the global Catholic community.
In his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he greeted the world with “Peace be with you,” calling for unity and continuity.
His election signals a new era for American Catholicism and reflects the Vatican’s growing global outlook.
