Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago but serving extensively in Peru, has become the first American pope in history, taking the name Leo XIV and pledging to pursue peace, justice, and church unity in his role as leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics worldwide.
Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old cardinal from Chicago, made USA history Thursday when he was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first American to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he used his first words from a Vatican balcony to emphasize “a united church, always seeking peace and justice.” The election defied long-standing beliefs that church leaders would never select a pope from a global superpower like the USA that already wields considerable influence in world affairs.
Despite his USA map origins, Leo XIV brings a remarkably international perspective to the papacy. He served more than two decades in Peru, where he became a bishop and a naturalized citizen, before Pope Francis appointed him to a key Vatican position in 2023. “He has great desire to help the downtrodden and the disenfranchised, the people who are ignored,” his brother John Prevost told reporters from their family home near Chicago. USA news outlets have highlighted the pope’s unique background, which includes recently discovered Creole roots connecting him to New Orleans’ diverse Catholic community.
The cardinals reached their decision after being in conclave for just over 24 hours. President Trump quickly responded to the news, calling the selection “a great honor” for the United States. While some USA political observers have noted the pope previously expressed concerns about Trump’s immigration policies, his brother suggested Leo XIV would follow in Francis’ footsteps while maintaining his own approach. “I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say,” John Prevost remarked, adding, “I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact.”
His choice of the name Leo XIV appears to signal his priorities, according to Vatican experts. The name references Pope Leo XIII, who led the church from 1878 to 1903 and was known for defending workers’ rights and developing modern Catholic social doctrine. Matteo Bruni, a Vatican spokesman, called the name choice “a clear and deliberate reference” to a pope who helped transition the church into the modern world and engaged with the pressing issues of his time. Church historian Roberto Rusconi noted that Leo XIII reinforced the papacy’s moral authority beyond national borders – a potentially significant message as Leo XIV begins his papacy in an era marked by rising nationalism across the global map.
(CP) VATICAN CITY – Reported by Clara Beaumont.