By Jessica A. Dennehy
The College of Cardinals has elected Robert Francis Prevost, sixty-nine, to serve as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Leo XIV, he became the first pope from North America, following in both the background and legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV has become the second pope from the Western Hemisphere, being a born and raised American who spent most of his adult life in Latin America.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost’s path to the papacy began with his ordination in 1982. He moved to Peru shortly after, in 1985, serving as a missionary and spending much of his adult life in Latin America—mostly in Peru. He also holds Peruvian nationality, and his work with marginalized communities and social issues has earned him international respect.
Back in 2014, Pope Francis appointed him the Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru; by 2023, Provost was made a cardinal. Earlier this year, he was promoted to the elite rank of cardinal-bishop, working with the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Bishops, where he oversaw global bishop appointments. His close contact with the Church’s senior leaders, coupled with his power of clerical appointments, many have come to believe, aided in his bid for papacy back in early May.
Conclave, or the election for a new pope, convened on May 7th, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. After a day and only four ballots, white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney on the 8th, signaling Prevost’s election to the role. He was not a favorite in pre-conclave speculation, but according to Vatican insiders, his election reflects the church’s desire for the continuity of Pope Francis’s positions, with the new pontiff aligning with many of his predecessor’s stances on key issues—climate change, immigration, and charity for the poor, to list a few—whilst having a calmer temperament and a more centrist leadership. However, he has already revealed some stances of his own, including his thoughts on the ethics of using artificial intelligence and his opinion of the Trump administration. Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in his first address, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying, “We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed us. United and hand-in-hand with God, let us advance together.” Only time will tell whether Pope Leo XIV can live up to those words—and whether his vision for the Catholic Church will advance it forward.