Pastoral Work in Peru's Poor Neighborhoods
A Close Associate of Pope Francis...A Centrist
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American who has been engaged in pastoral work in Peru, was elected as the 267th pope on May 8 (local time). He is the first pope of American origin.
On the afternoon of the same day, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, appeared on the "Loggia of Blessings" at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and proclaimed "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope), announcing the election of the new pope. This came after only two days of the conclave (the secret meeting of cardinals) and on the fourth ballot.
The new pope will take the papal name "Leo XIV." In Catholicism, "Leo" means "lion" in Latin, symbolizing strength, courage, and leadership.
Pope Leo XIV was born in 1955 in Chicago, United States. He was ordained as a priest in 1982 and is a member of the Order of St. Augustine. According to Euronews, this is the first time a pope has come from the Order of St. Augustine.
Although Leo XIV holds American citizenship, he spent 20 years working in Peru. He served as the Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2014 to 2023, and was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023. He also acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015. Analysts point out that his experience ministering in marginalized areas such as poor neighborhoods and rural communities in Peru, despite being American, contributed to his election as pope.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) interpreted his election as overturning the conventional belief that a cardinal from the United States could not be elected pope in a church that often seeks to balance against American global power. Vatican expert Father Thomas Reese told the Washington Post (WP) that Leo XIV received strong support from cardinals from Latin America, where he served for 20 years.
The BBC described Leo XIV as a figure who can continue Pope Francis's reform policies while embracing diverse voices within the church and building bridges between different worlds.
As Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Leo XIV led Pope Francis's reform initiative to include, for the first time, three women in the voting body that selects candidates for bishop. Although he is a close associate of Pope Francis, he is regarded as theologically centrist.
The new pope was elected just 17 days after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The official inauguration ceremony is expected to take place within a few days.
After his election, Leo XIV appeared on the "Loggia of Blessings" at St. Peter's Basilica and said in Italian, "La pace sia con tutti voi" (Peace be with you all). He then recalled his memories from Peru and repeated the same phrase in Spanish. Leo XIV is known to be fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French. Although he is the first American pope in history, on this day he delivered his address only in Italian and Spanish.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the election of a pope from his own country. Through his social media platform Truth Social, he said, "It is truly an honor to learn that he is the first American pope," adding, "I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV."
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