The Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader, and his election has generated enormous global interest. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope in history. From now on, he will be known as Leo XIV , a name loaded with symbolism that marks the beginning of a new era for the Vatican.
The announcement was greeted with emotion by thousands of faithful who gathered in St. Peter’s Square , after days of anticipation during the conclave. The long-awaited white smoke , a symbol that the cardinals had reached a consensus, appeared in the Vatican sky during the second day of deliberations, ending the wait for millions of Catholics around the world.
Born on September 14, 1955 , in Chicago , Prevost is the first American to assume the papacy. However, his connection to Latin America runs deep. He spent much of his life in Peru , where he worked as a missionary and carried out extensive pastoral work in communities in the north of the country. In fact, since 2015 , he has also held Peruvian nationality , giving him a particularly close profile among Latin American faithful.
Prevost has a solid and diverse academic background. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Villanova University, a Master’s degree in Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and a doctorate magna cum laude in Canon Law from the prestigious Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His doctoral thesis addressed the role of the local prior within the Order of Saint Augustine , a congregation to which he has belonged since his religious beginnings.
During the 1980s, the new pontiff led Augustinian missions in various regions of Peru, such as Chulucanas , Iquitos , and Apurímac . In Trujillo, he served in multiple roles: prior , director of formation , master of the professed , judicial vicar , and professor of canon law at the major seminary. His closeness to the local communities left a notable mark, consolidating his reputation as a close and committed pastor.
His rise through the church hierarchy accelerated after his return to Chicago in 2013. A year later, he was appointed bishop by Pope Francis, who subsequently elevated him to cardinal in September 2023. He has also held important positions in the Vatican, including prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America , positions that reflect the great trust Francis placed in him.
Prevost’s election is a historic event not only because of his nationality, but also because of the month in which it occurred: May , a period in which popes have rarely been elected. Only two previous cases are recorded: Clement VI in 1342 and Paul V in 1605. With his election, Leo XIV becomes the third pontiff elected in this month in over seven centuries.
The atmosphere in the Vatican on Thursday afternoon was intensely emotional. After a second black smoke in the morning, many thought there would be no news, but the afternoon vote changed the course of the day. With the white smoke rising, the crowd once again gathered in the square with flags, chants, and banners, awaiting the traditional “Habemus Papam . “
Leo XIV’s appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica was greeted with applause and cheers. For the more than 1.4 billion Catholics , a new era begins under the leadership of a Pope who combines theological tradition , Latin American pastoral experience , and a close look at the social realities of today’s world. All indications are that his pontificate will have a strong pastoral focus and special attention to the needs of the peoples of Latin America and the rest of the world.
