When 69-year-old Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, it marked the first time an American ascended to the papacy.
He chose the name Pope Leo XIV, likely honoring Pope Leo XIII, known for advocating workers’ rights.
Prevost, previously Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and leader of the Augustinian order, is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian. Seen as a unifying figure, he was selected as a compromise candidate by the conclave.
His election drew global attention—including a congratulatory message from former President Trump. Though conservative on some issues, Pope Leo XIV echoes Pope Francis in his focus on justice and the marginalized.
His background, message of unity, and symbolic name choice signal a potentially transformative era for the Catholic Church.
