Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American to serve as the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The election, which took place on May 8, was confirmed when Cardinal Dominique Mamberti stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce “Habemus Papam.”
Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV spent much of his clerical life in Peru, gaining recognition for his pastoral work and advocacy for social justice. His elevation to Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023 positioned him at the heart of Church governance.
In his first public words as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for peace and global solidarity. His message struck a hopeful note, blending continuity with a clear commitment to further modernising the Church and making it more inclusive and responsive.
His election is not only a milestone for the Church but also a symbolic gesture toward its growing universality. With deep roots in both the Americas and the Vatican hierarchy, Pope Leo XIV is expected to build bridges — between continents, between generations, and within the Church itself