On May 8, 2025, as dusk settled over St. Peter’s Square, a familiar chant rolled across the cobblestones: “Viva il Papa!” Long live the Pope. The world waited with bated breath to learn who would become the 267th occupant of the Throne of St. Peter.
And when the name Robert Francis Prevost was proclaimed — to be known henceforth as Pope Leo XIV — a new chapter in the Catholic Church’s storied history quietly, yet decisively, began.
From Chicago to the Chair of St. Peter
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Francis Prevost was the son of a Catholic household deeply rooted in faith and immigrant heritage. His grandparents hailed from France, Spain, and Italy, and the Catholic Church was a fixture in his upbringing.
Young Robert served as an altar boy and, by 1982, was ordained a priest.
His early clerical path led him to the Order of Saint Augustine, a religious order known for its emphasis on community life and service to the marginalized. It was this calling that would take him far from the comforts of Chicago to the vibrant yet challenging streets of Peru.
Prevost first set foot in Peru in 1985, and over the next two decades, it would become a second home. He served as a parish pastor, seminary teacher, diocesan official, and administrator in Trujillo and Chiclayo, working closely with marginalized communities.
His efforts earned him Peruvian nationality and a reputation as a bridge-builder between cultures and classes.
In 2001, Prevost’s leadership qualities saw him elected Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine — the highest position in the order — a role he held for 12 years.
In 2014, the late Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru, a post that would lay the groundwork for his elevation to the global stage.
A Friendship with Pope Francis
The connection between Prevost and Pope Francis was more than just administrative; it was pastoral and ideological. Both men shared a profound concern for the poor, migrants, and the stewardship of the environment.
Francis’ trust in Prevost was evident when, in January 2023, he appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops — one of the Vatican’s most influential offices — and shortly thereafter, created him a cardinal.
In their overlapping ministries, the two championed the same causes: compassion for the marginalized, ecological justice, and a Church that listens before it speaks.
In his first words as Pope Leo XIV, Prevost paid homage to his predecessor’s enduring spirit: “We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us. United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together.”
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The Conclave’s Choice
The 2025 conclave convened amid a palpable sense of continuity.
Less than three weeks earlier, Pope Francis had delivered his final blessing from the same balcony. As cardinals gathered under the soaring dome of the Sistine Chapel, many sensed that the Church yearned for a shepherd who would both honor Francis’ legacy and steer confidently into new territory.
Prevost’s name emerged as a favorite, not solely for his administrative acumen, but for his heart for service, extensive pastoral experience in Latin America, and his understanding of global Catholicism’s evolving dynamics.
Though an American by birth, his decades in Peru gave him a unique bi-cultural identity that resonated with the increasingly global nature of the Church.
When white smoke billowed from the chimney and Prevost was named Pope Leo XIV, cheers erupted — not only in Rome but from Chicago to Trujillo.
A Name Laden with History
By choosing the name Leo XIV, Prevost aligned himself with a lineage of popes known for their defense of the Church and commitment to social issues.
Pope Leo I, known as Leo the Great, famously confronted Attila the Hun to spare Rome, while Pope Leo XIII was an outspoken advocate for workers’ rights and social justice during the Industrial Revolution.
Former Archbishop of Boston, Seán Patrick O’Malley, observed that Prevost’s choice was “widely associated with the social justice legacy of Leo XIII, a pontiff at a time of epic upheaval and mass immigration.”
In many ways, the name signals Leo XIV’s intention to be a pope for turbulent times.
Views and Vision of Pope Leo XIV
Early indications suggest Pope Leo XIV will broadly continue Francis’ reforms but with his own emphases. He has voiced strong support for environmental action, urging the Vatican and the faithful to move “from words to action.”
Under his watch, initiatives like the installation of solar panels and a shift toward electric vehicles at the Vatican have gained traction.
On social matters, Leo XIV has indicated cautious progressiveness. While supportive of Francis’ directive allowing blessings for same-sex couples, he has emphasized that such practices must be interpreted through the lens of local contexts and cultural sensitivities — a nod to the complex, diverse tapestry of global Catholicism.
Significantly, he has championed the inclusion of women in decision-making roles within the Church, praising the wisdom and perspective they bring. “On several occasions we have seen that their point of view is an enrichment,” he told Vatican News in 2023.
Leo XIV has also inherited the difficult task of navigating the Church’s handling of sexual abuse scandals, particularly in Latin America.
While his own diocese in Peru has fervently denied any cover-ups, he has spoken of the importance of transparency, justice for victims, and institutional accountability.
A Global Reception
The announcement of an American pope — albeit one as much Latin American as North American — was met with enthusiasm and hope across religious and secular communities alike.
US President Donald Trump hailed it as a “great honour”, while religious leaders from across the faith spectrum extended messages of solidarity.
The Grand Imam of al-Azhar expressed hope for continued interfaith dialogue, and leaders from the Coptic Orthodox Church and the World Jewish Congress pledged prayers and partnership for the new pontiff.
Meanwhile, in St. Peter’s Square, pilgrims and tourists from all corners of the world shed tears, cheered, and clung to memories of Francis while embracing the dawn of a new era.
New Beginnings with Pope Leo XIV
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, the memory of Pope Francis looms large. But far from being a shadow, it is a foundation. In his moving inaugural address, Leo XIV signaled both reverence for the past and readiness for the future: “United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together.”
In those few words, he captured the essence of his pontificate — a papacy rooted in service, solidarity, and the quiet, determined faith of a man shaped by Chicago’s working-class neighborhoods and Peru’s dusty streets alike.
