The Catholic Church has made history by electing its first American pope, entrusting 1.4 billion followers to a missionary who rose to become a Vatican prelate and outspoken critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Hailing from Chicago and aged 69, he made his appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, being introduced to the world as Pope Leo XIV. He is also the first pontiff from a predominantly Protestant country.
The election of the new pope, American Robert Francis Prevost, marks a significant moment for the Church and the international landscape. As the first pontiff from the United States, his selection reflects not just a change in religious leadership, but it may also influence global diplomatic and political relations.
The unexpected choice of a pope from the U.S. captivated a crowd of over 100,000 pilgrims, tourists, and locals gathered in the square, a moment once deemed impossible in Catholic history. In his inaugural Urbi et Orbi address to “the city and the world,” Pope Leo emerged as a unifying figure amid global conflicts and internal ideological divisions within the Catholic Church.
His message resonates powerfully at a time when the Church is grappling with tensions between progressive and conservative factions, highlighting the need for dialogue and understanding. This historical event not only signifies a major shift in leadership but also has the potential to inspire renewed hope and cohesion within the global religious community.
Despite his American background, Prevost built much of his religious career in Latin America, particularly in Peru. There, he distinguished himself and reached leadership positions within the Roman Curia. He was ordained a priest in 1982 and began his mission in Peru two years later, first in Piura and then in Trujillo, where he spent ten years, even during the authoritarian regime of Alberto Fujimori. Prevost publicly demanded apologies for the injustices committed during that time. At the time of his election, he was serving in two significant roles in the Vatican: Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, responsible for bishop appointments, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Prevost studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and entered religious life at the age of 22. At 27, he was sent to Rome to study canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
In 2014, Prevost took over the administration of the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he was ordained bishop, a role he dedicated nine years to. His leadership in Peru stood out not only within the diocese but also in significant roles in the local Episcopal Conference, allowing him to exert considerable influence on the Church’s governance and policies in the region.
His career continued to ascend when he was appointed to the Congregation for the Clergy and later to the Congregation for Bishops, reflecting his commitment and skill in ecclesiastical matters. In 2023, Prevost was honored to be elevated to cardinal, a position he held for less than two years before being chosen as pope, a remarkable occurrence in the recent history of the Catholic Church.
During Pope Francis’s hospitalization, Prevost showed loyalty and support by leading a public prayer at the Vatican, further solidifying his role as a significant spiritual leader in times of need.
