History was made at the Vatican on May 8, 2025, as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV.
The Chicago-born cleric, aged 69, is the first American to ascend to the papacy. A former missionary in Peru and close confidant of the late Pope Francis, Prevost is widely regarded as a unifier and a moderate voice within the Church.
Before his election, Prevost led the Dicastery for Bishops—one of the most influential Vatican departments—and was known for championing the “peripheries,” a key theme of Francis’ pontificate.
Fluent in several languages and well-versed in canon law, he has served in both pastoral and leadership roles across the globe.
In his first remarks, Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of moving forward, saying, “We can’t stop, we can’t turn back.”
He emphasized that while the Church’s message remains constant, the methods of reaching people—especially the youth and marginalized—must evolve.
