…Becomes first American Pontiff
In a landmark moment for the Catholic Church, United States (U.S.) Cardinal Robert Prevost was yesterday elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.
Pope Leo, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
With this election, Prevost, aged 69 and a native of Chicago, Illinois, becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy, marking a significant milestone in the Church’s history.
The conclave of cardinals concluded on the evening of the second day, echoing the timeline of previous elections for Popes Francis and Benedict XVI. The speed of the decision suggests that Prevost made a strong impression during the deliberations.
A man of global experience and pastoral depth, Pope Leo XIV brings decades of service to the role, particularly in Latin America, where he spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru. Most recently, he held leadership of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the Vatican’s most influential offices, overseeing the appointment of bishops worldwide. He also served as President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, further emphasising his deep ties to the region.
Prevost is a member of the Augustinian order, which he once led as Prior-General for over a decade. His experience managing a global religious community is expected to inform his papacy as he continues the trajectory of reform initiated by Pope Francis.
Despite longstanding beliefs that a U.S.-born cardinal might never be elected pope – due to concerns about America’s political influence – Prevost’s extensive international ministry appears to have eased such apprehensions among the electors.
