Following the passing of Pope Francis, his successor has recently been announced. Robert Prevost has been elected the first pope from the United States. He will serve in the role under the name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV Will Be The First Pope Born In North America
Pope Francis had previously served as the head of the Catholic Church, starting on March 13, 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025. At the time, he was the first pope to be Latin American and to come from the Southern Hemisphere.
Since then, Robert Prevost had been named as his successor, who will take on the name, Pope Leo XIV. Much like Francis before his, Prevost makes history as the first pope born in North America.
Prevost was born in Chicago. He joined the Order of St. Augustine back in 1977, taking solemn vows in 1981. He was ordained a priest the following year.
As noted by Koco News, Prevost was announced this Thursday after being elected by cardinals. White smoke coming from the chimney announced the decision as the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang.
A crowd of at least 20,000 people appeared in St. Peter’s Square to see the reveal of the 267th pope. People from around the world could be seen waving flags and cheering “Viva il papa!”
While spending an early part of his career working for Augustinians in Illinois, he also served in Peru both from 1985 to 1986. He later returned to Peru from 1988 to 1998. Throughout the years, he served as a parish pastor, diocesan official, and seminary teacher. He became a cardinal in 2023.
The New Pope Had Previously Been Praised For His International Background
Prevost is known for speaking multiple languages. This includes English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. He can also read Latin and German.
Prior to being named pope, Prevost was also known for heading the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops. This office was tasked with giving the Pontiff advise on appointing bishops around the world.
As noted by the National Catholic Reporter, there had previously been interest in Prevost becoming the next pope due to his international background. At the time, it was noted, “Some cardinals already had their eye on Prevost because of his global experience. Though he may be American by birth, he has spent only a third of his life in the United States, instead spending much of the rest of it in Europe and Latin America.”
The publication later noted, “Prevost brings to the table pastoral experience in the peripheries with expertise in navigating the complexities of the church’s central governance — a rare combination for those seeking a potential pope who shares the priorities of Francis with a greater prioritization on governance.”
This was notable, since, at the time, there was concern that cardinals would be reluctant to elect an American as the next pope. However, it was also felt that “his steely determination and clarity” would still help “put him over the top.”
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
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