Catholic Church leaders gathered at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City to elect a new pope. After four rounds of voting, they chose Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American, as the new leader. He took the name Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American to hold this position.
The election process began on May 7 and concluded on May 8. Cardinal Prevost received at least two-thirds of the votes, 89 out of 133. The result was announced with white smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney, followed by Cardinal Domenic Mamberti’s declaration, “We have a pope.”
Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, wearing white and a red cape. He waved to the crowd and prayed for peace. He emphasized God’s love for everyone and the need to overcome evil. Notably, he spoke in Italian and Spanish, not English.
Background
Pope Leo XIV was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Louis Marius Prevost, had French and Italian roots, while his mother, Mildred Martinez, had Spanish ancestry. He holds dual US and Peruvian citizenship.
He studied mathematics at Villanova University and theology at Catholic Theological Union. He was ordained as an Augustinian priest in 1982. Later, he earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Previous Roles
Before becoming pope, Cardinal Prevost served as head of the Augustinian order and worked in Peru from 2015 to 2023. Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015, and later archbishop in January 2023. He also led the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and became a cardinal in 2024, overseeing the selection of bishops worldwide.
Expectations
Many expect Pope Leo XIV to follow Pope Francis’ path, focusing on the poor and migrants. Cardinal Prevost has criticized US immigration policies, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency. Despite this, Trump congratulated the new pope, expressing honor at having an American pope and looking forward to meeting him.
The Thai prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also congratulated Pope Leo XIV, highlighting Thailand’s long-standing friendship with Vatican City. She expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation for peace, understanding, and unity among different religions.