In a surprising and historic decision that stunned the global Catholic community, the College of Cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope on Thursday, May 8. At age 69, Prevost, a native of Chicago, became the first American citizen ever chosen as the bishop of Rome. He selected the papal name Pope Leo XIV, aligning himself with the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, a 19th-century leader remembered for embracing the modern world and placing Catholic social teachings at the heart of the Church’s mission.
Stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet a jubilant crowd, Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful with a message of peace. “Peace be with you all!” he proclaimed. Recognizing the Easter season, he added, “I would like this greeting of peace to reach all people, in the entire world.”
As he mentioned his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, the crowd responded with loud cheers. The new pontiff reminded them of their shared faith, saying, “We are all in the hands of God. Hence, without fear, united hand in hand with God and with each other, we go forward. We are disciples of Christ. Christ precedes us!”
The election of an American pope was particularly emotional for many U.S. Catholics who witnessed the moment in person. “It feels surreal,” said Corinne Bernhard, a Chicago native in the crowd at St. Peter’s Square. Miles Redwine, a Catholic visitor from Chester, Texas, expressed disbelief, saying, “I would’ve never thought in a million years that it would’ve been an American.” His travel companion, Marie Clack, shared her emotional reaction: “I almost started crying, full body chills.”
Before his elevation to the papacy, Prevost served as the prior general of the Order of St. Augustine from 2001 to 2013, making him the only representative of the ancient religious order in the conclave. During his leadership, he traveled extensively, gaining valuable insights into the spiritual and administrative needs of the diverse regions where the Augustinians operate.
Although he studied at Villanova University and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Prevost spent most of his priesthood abroad. From 2015 to 2023, he served as the archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru, a country where he also holds citizenship. This international experience contributed to his reputation as a pastor with a broad and empathetic worldview.
Reactions to his election echoed across his alma mater. “Bells are ringing. People are in shock or in various stages of excitement. Tears have been shed,” said Jaisy Joseph, an assistant professor of systematic and constructive theology at Villanova University. Joseph recalled meeting Prevost with a group of Villanova students last October, where his Augustinian values were evident. “It’s about friendship. It’s about community,” she explained. “We felt that warmth. We felt that he was really present to the individuals that were in front of him, and so I think that’s part of his formation.”
Prevost brings to the papacy not only pastoral wisdom but also a deep understanding of church law. He holds a degree in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, equipping him well for the complex legal and procedural responsibilities of the pontiff.
His career in Rome began when Pope Francis appointed him president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and later as the head of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the Vatican’s most powerful offices. As the head of this dicastery, Prevost was responsible for evaluating and appointing bishops globally. He succeeded Cardinal Marc Ouellet, a more conservative figure, in this role.
Francis elevated Prevost to cardinal in September 2023 and, just two years later, promoted him to cardinal-bishop, the highest rank within the College of Cardinals. Under his leadership, the Dicastery for Bishops reflected a more progressive tone, including the groundbreaking move of appointing women to help in the selection process for bishops.
Though he maintained a low public profile while in Rome, Prevost’s rare comments have revealed a progressive vision of church leadership. In an interview with Vatican News, he stated, “The authority we have is to serve, to accompany priests, to be pastors and teachers,” distancing himself from hierarchical models of leadership that he believes no longer resonate. He further noted that bishops can be “preoccupied with teaching doctrine,” risking neglect of the core messages of the Gospels.
His swift election by the conclave indicated a remarkable level of consensus among the cardinals, despite perceptions of ideological divisions. In recent years, Pope Francis’ leadership style had sparked debate, particularly among conservative factions within the church. However, with 80 percent of the College of Cardinals appointed by Francis, the body was primed to choose someone aligned with his inclusive and socially engaged vision of Catholicism.
In his Vatican News interview, Prevost addressed these internal divisions, emphasizing the need for unity: “We bishops especially must accelerate this movement towards unity, towards communion in the church.”
His role in controversial church decisions also hints at a willingness to confront internal tensions. In 2023, he reportedly played a role in the removal of U.S. Bishop Joseph Strickland, a vocal critic of Pope Francis known for opposing COVID-19 vaccines. That year, Prevost met with Francis and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States. Observers speculated that the conversation involved the process of encouraging Strickland’s resignation. Strickland, who maintained strong support among some right-wing American Catholics, refused to resign but was removed two months later.
As Pope Leo XIV, Prevost enters the papacy during a time of transformation and challenge for the Catholic Church. His background — rooted in theological education, global ministry, and administrative leadership — reflects both continuity with Pope Francis and a personal pastoral style shaped by humility and service.
His commitment to building bridges within the Church, prioritizing community, and emphasizing the core messages of the Gospel suggests that his papacy may continue many of the themes introduced by his predecessor, while also forging a unique path grounded in his Augustinian roots.
With the eyes of the Catholic world now on Pope Leo XIV, many will be watching to see how the first American pontiff navigates the responsibilities of spiritual leadership in an era marked by both division and hope.