First American pontiff in history
American Cardinal, Robert Francis Prevost, has been announced as the new pope.
The 69-year-old will be known as Leo XIV, it was revealed just moments ago from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Prevost is succeeding Pope Francis, who was the head of the Catholic Church from March 13, 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost is the first American-born pope in history. He has a diverse heritage, with Italian, French, and Spanish roots. Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. He earned a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
His missionary work took him to Peru, where he served in various capacities, including as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a significant role overseeing the selection of bishops worldwide. He was made a cardinal later that year.
