Robert Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV, the First American-Born Pontiff in Catholic History
- Victor Nwoko
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV and becoming the 268th Pope — and the first pontiff born in the United States.
Prevost, 69, originally from Chicago, Illinois, assumed one of the Vatican’s most powerful roles in 2023 when Pope Francis appointed him as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, the office responsible for overseeing episcopal appointments worldwide. His elevation to the papacy on Thursday follows years of rising influence in the global Church, culminating in his election despite long-standing resistance to an American pope due to the United States’ dominant geopolitical role.
Although born in the U.S., Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship and spent significant portions of his life in Peru, where he served first as a missionary and later as archbishop of Chiclayo. In his first address as pope, delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he spoke in Italian and Spanish—deliberately avoiding English, a symbolic gesture reflecting his international background and the universality of the Catholic Church.
His broad experience and deep ties to Latin America helped build support among the College of Cardinals. Prevost was twice elected as the prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, a position of global leadership within the 13th-century religious order. In 2014, Pope Francis reassigned him to Peru, where he became a citizen the following year. He led the Diocese of Chiclayo until being called to Rome in 2023, first to head the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and then to oversee global bishop nominations.
Prevost was instrumental in one of Pope Francis’ most groundbreaking reforms: expanding the voting membership of the Dicastery for Bishops to include women. This step was seen as a bold move toward greater inclusion within the Church and cemented Prevost’s reputation as a reform-minded leader aligned with Francis' progressive agenda.
In early 2025, Francis elevated Prevost to the highest rank within the College of Cardinals, signaling growing confidence in his leadership. His election is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Catholic Church in the United States, where tensions have deepened between conservative and progressive factions. Under Francis, with Prevost’s support, the Vatican had spent more than a decade attempting to temper traditionalist movements in the American Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s ascension is being hailed as a turning point for Catholicism both in the United States and globally. “It is a deep sign of commitment to social issues,” said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan University. “It’s exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism taking shape in Rome.”
In Peru, where Prevost served for years, the news of his election sparked pride and celebration. The bells of Lima’s cathedral rang out, and citizens expressed hope for a papal visit. “For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,” said Isabel Panez, a teacher who was near the cathedral when the announcement was made.
Father Fidel Purisaca Vigil, who worked closely with Prevost in Chiclayo, recalled the new pope’s humility and joy. “No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,” he said.
Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV entered the Order of St. Augustine in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University, followed by a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982. His decades-long journey through religious life, missionary service, academic leadership, and Vatican governance have now culminated in the papacy.
As he begins his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue the spirit of reform championed by Pope Francis while addressing pressing challenges within the Church, including global conflict, internal divisions, and demands for greater accountability and inclusion.
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