The Roman Catholic Church has entered a new chapter with the election of American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pontiff, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88.
The College of Cardinals convened in conclave and elected Cardinal Prevost — the former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops — in one of the swiftest decisions in recent papal history.
Born in Chicago in 1955, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV is the first American ever to lead the Catholic Church. A former missionary in Peru and a key figure in Vatican governance under Pope Francis, his election signals both continuity and change.
In his first appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV honored his predecessor’s legacy, stating: “With the heart of a servant and the strength of faith, I walk humbly in the path Pope Francis laid for us — one of mercy, justice, and unity.”
The election of an American pope is being described as historic, with observers noting it reflects the Church’s shifting demographics and growing influence in the Americas.