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Cardinals have elected Robert Prevost as the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church. He has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
A total of 133 cardinals, all under the age of 80, participated in the conclave that led to the election of the new pope.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is seen as possessing many of the qualities required for the papacy. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, where he was tasked with selecting new bishops worldwide, after Marc Ouellet’s departure.
Before his Vatican appointment, he spent years as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming the archbishop there. He is also known for his leadership of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, which adds to his international profile.
While Pope Leo XIV is regarded as a reformer, at 69, some might consider him relatively young for the papacy. His time as archbishop in Peru was overshadowed by allegations of covering up sexual abuse claims, although these were denied by his diocese.
Early Life
Pope Leo XIV grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago, where he was part of the St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Dolton, Illinois. His Midwestern background, combined with his decades of work abroad, have shaped him into a figure who bridges cultural and geographical divides within the global Church.
Ordained in 1982, he later earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
He spent two decades in Peru, serving as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, before becoming a naturalized citizen. Prior to his Vatican appointment, he was also a member of the Order of St. Augustine.
