Pope Leo XIV: Who Is the Newly Elected Cardinal Robert Francis

Cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as Robert Francis Prevost was introduced as the new Pope.

Rabat– Princes (Cardinals); of the Catholic Church have just elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as pope, making him the first-ever American pontiff in history.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 19, 1954, he has now taken the papal name of Leo XIV. The American prelate’s election marks a new era for the Catholic Church, as he becomes the 267th pope, succeeding Pope Francis.

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney shortly before the announcement, signaling to the world that the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new pope.

About 70 minutes later, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, greeting a global audience as the new spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

In his first address as pope, Leo XIV called for peace and paid tribute to the late Pope Francis before a cheering crowd.

Prevost’s journey to the papacy has been marked by a deep commitment to both his missionary vocation and leadership roles in the Church. He spent a significant portion of his career as a missionary in South America, where he worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru.

His mission was to serve the needs of local communities while spreading the teachings of the Catholic faith. He was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014 and served in this role until 2023.

Throughout his career, Prevost has emphasized his identity as a missionary, with a focus on proclaiming the Gospel and serving the faithful wherever he is. He took on a crucial leadership role in the Vatican in 2023, heading the Dicastery for Bishops, the office responsible for the selection of bishops globally.

This role gave him extensive experience in the governance of the Church and a deep understanding of its challenges worldwide.

Prevost’s papacy is expected to build upon the reforms of Pope Francis, focusing on global unity, outreach to marginalized communities, and the continued modernization of the Church.

His election is viewed as a historic moment for the U.S. and the global Catholic community, with many looking forward to his leadership in the years ahead.