Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as First American Pope, Leo XIV
By The Media Line Staff
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old Augustinian friar was chosen by a two-thirds majority of the 133 cardinal electors during the conclave held at the Vatican. He succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Prevost’s election marks a defining moment for the Catholic Church, signaling both continuity and a potential shift in style and focus.
In his first public appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo XIV greeted the faithful with the words, “Peace be with all of you,” and invoked Saint Augustine, saying, “For you, I am a bishop; with you, I am a Christian.” He spoke in Italian and Spanish, underscoring both his theological roots and his extensive missionary work in Latin America. His choice of the name Leo XIV is widely seen as a tribute to Pope Leo XIII, who was known for his engagement with modern social issues, including workers’ rights and the role of the church in contemporary life.
Prevost brings a distinctive combination of American pragmatism and Latin American pastoral sensitivity. Born in Chicago in 1955, he joined the Augustinian order and was ordained in 1982. Three years later, he moved to Peru as part of a missionary initiative and remained there for much of the next two decades. He served as bishop of Chiclayo, a city in northern Peru, and was granted Peruvian citizenship. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him to head the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, the powerful office that oversees the appointment and supervision of Catholic bishops worldwide.
His background and experience earned him wide respect in both hemispheres. Known for his humility and pastoral outreach, Leo XIV has worked closely with vulnerable populations, including migrants and the poor. He is multilingual—fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese—and has built strong relationships within the global church.
The election of Leo XIV prompted an outpouring of congratulations from religious and political leaders worldwide. US President Donald Trump called it a “great honor” for the United States, while Vice President JD Vance said millions of American Catholics would be praying for his success. Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton issued statements praising his character, experience, and the symbolism of his Chicago roots.
From abroad, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed hope that the new pope would deepen ties between Israel and the Vatican and promote stronger interfaith relations. Leaders from Italy, France, Mexico, and the United Nations praised the selection as a moment of hope and renewal for Catholics worldwide. Gaza’s Christian community also voiced optimism, with George Antone of the Holy Family Church saying, “We hope that his heart will remain with Gaza like Pope Francis.”
Leo XIV inherits a global church facing internal tensions and external challenges. One of the most pressing is the ongoing fallout from clergy sexual abuse scandals. Survivor advocacy groups have raised concerns about how Prevost handled such cases during his leadership of the Augustinian Midwest province in Chicago, where Rev. Richard McGrath remained in a leadership post despite allegations of misconduct. Similar concerns have been raised about his time in Peru. Supporters argue that no evidence suggests an attempted cover-up and emphasize his record of pastoral care and institutional reform.
The new pope has also been involved in progressive changes within the church. As head of the Dicastery for Bishops, he oversaw the implementation of reforms pushed by Pope Francis, including the appointment of bishops more focused on service and inclusion rather than hierarchy. He has supported greater lay participation in church life, including expanded roles for women.
Although not a household name before the conclave, Leo XIV was seen as a consensus candidate among the majority of cardinals appointed by Pope Francis. Vatican observers described him as someone who could carry forward his predecessor’s vision of a more open, listening church. In a 2023 interview, he said, “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the church.”
Friends and former colleagues describe him as warm, deeply spiritual, and attentive to the needs of others. Rev. Mark Francis, a longtime friend, said, “He has a wry sense of humor but was not someone who sought the limelight.”
Pope Leo XIV now faces the enormous task of unifying a 1.4-billion-member global church, many of whom are divided on issues such as doctrine, inclusion, and tradition. He must also navigate the Catholic Church’s complex role in geopolitics, interfaith relations, and humanitarian engagement.
His early gestures, language of unity, and reputation for listening have raised expectations. Whether he can meet them remains to be seen, but his papacy begins with a sense of humility, resolve, and global goodwill.
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