The Catholic Church awoke to history on Thursday as Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, clad in papal white, and greeted the world as Pope Leo XIV.
For the first time in its two-millennia history, the Church has elected an American pope.
“We must be a Church that builds bridges and opens its arms — like this very piazza,” Leo said in Italian, facing a crowd swelling with cheers in St. Peter’s Square. His words echoed through the Vatican air moments after the traditional white smoke signalled his election.
The 69-year-old Chicago native succeeds Pope Francis, who died on April 21. In his first address, Leo spoke warmly of Francis, invoking his predecessor’s name twice. “He left us a path to follow,” he said.
The decision followed days of quiet deliberation inside the Sistine Chapel. A total of 133 cardinal electors gathered in Rome for the secretive conclave. After at least four rounds of voting, the two-thirds majority needed was finally reached. Then came the smoke, the bells, and the name: Leo XIV.
A Pope from Chicago
Cardinal Prevost is not only the first American to take the papal mantle — he’s also the first Augustinian friar to do so. Born and raised in Chicago, he joined the Order of St Augustine in 1977 and studied theology and canon law in the U.S. and Rome.
Much of his early ministry was spent in Peru, where he served as a missionary, teacher, and later bishop. His years there left a mark. During his appearance on Thursday, he greeted the people of Chiclayo, the Peruvian diocese he once led — switching briefly to Spanish.
“He’s a very down-to-earth man. Very kind, very reserved,” said Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and papal commentator. “It’s striking to see someone like him, who’s spent most of his life serving in the margins, rise to the papacy.”
Why ‘Leo’?
The name Leo is steeped in Church history. Speaking to reporters, a Vatican spokesperson said the choice appears to be a nod to Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903 and is remembered for championing social justice through his landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum.
“Leos were strong popes,” said Father Vito Crincoli, a Rome-based priest. “They cared deeply for people, for the dignity of work, for the human soul.”
While the Vatican has not confirmed Leo XIV’s exact reasons, the reference suggests a focus on continuing the Church’s role in tackling social issues — something Francis also championed.
From Peru to Rome
Pope Leo’s path to the papacy wasn’t immediate. After serving as bishop in Peru, he was called to Rome by Pope Francis in 2014. There, he climbed the Church’s ranks, eventually heading the powerful Dicastery for Bishops — the Vatican office responsible for overseeing bishop appointments worldwide.
His tenure there was marked by a careful, pastoral tone. In a 2024 interview with Vatican News, he said, “A bishop is not a little prince in his kingdom. He walks with his people, suffers with them.”
His remarks drew praise from within the Church and abroad for echoing Francis’ emphasis on humility and closeness to the faithful.
By 2023, he had also been appointed president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, further signalling his influence on global Catholic affairs.
What Now?
Leo’s papacy begins immediately, without need for a coronation. Though early in his role, the symbolism of his election is already resonating.
The Rev. Peter Donohue, president of Villanova University — Leo’s alma mater — called the moment historic.
“He embodies the Augustinian spirit — humility, wisdom, warmth,” Donohue said in a statement. “We see in him a shepherd who listens and leads.”
Still, questions linger about how Leo will navigate challenges left unresolved under Francis — from Church reform and abuse scandals to geopolitical tensions and internal divisions over doctrine.
For now, Catholics around the world are watching. Some with hope, others with uncertainty. But all with curiosity.
As the bells rang out over Rome and the smoke curled into the afternoon sky, one thing was clear: the Church had turned a new page.
And it bore an American name.
