On Thursday, 8 May 2025, the Catholic world witnessed a historic moment as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States was elected the new, 267th pope. After the fourth ballot in the Sistine Chapel, white smoke rose, and a moment later the words “Habemus Papam!” rang out from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955. He is an Augustinian, a doctor of canon law and an experienced clergyman who served for years as a bishop in Peru, and from 2023 headed the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops. He became a cardinal in 2023, and today he has taken the helm of the Church as Pope Leo XIV.
Key facts about the new pope:
- He is 69 years old and is the first American on the Throne of St. Peter since Benedict XVI.
- He worked for years in Latin America, which may shape his openness to the challenges facing the Church in that region.
- As prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he was responsible for episcopal appointments around the world.
An election that will go down in history
The conclave lasted two days and ended after the fourth ballot. The ceremony was attended by 133 cardinal electors from around the world. Prevost’s election was welcomed with enthusiasm both in the Vatican and in his native United States.
The new pope took the name Leo XIV, a reference to the tradition and to previous popes of that name who went down in Church history as reformers and defenders of the faith.
What does this election mean for the Church?
The cardinals’ decision is a signal of openness to the new challenges and needs of the modern world. Leo XIV is known for dialogue, his ability to build bridges, and his experience working with diverse communities. His pontificate may bring:
- a greater emphasis on social issues and the fight against poverty,
- openness to the young generation of Catholics,
- the continuation of reforms in the Church.
The choice of Cardinal Prevost as Pope Leo XIV marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. His experience, openness and international perspective may set a new direction for more than a billion faithful around the world.
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