Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pontiff
On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago made history as the first American elected pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Born in 1955, Prevost has dual U.S.–Peruvian citizenship and spent decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru.
Fluent in multiple languages and deeply connected to Latin America, he is seen as a unifying figure in a diverse Church. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he’s known for humility and reform.
s head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, he oversaw global bishop appointments and promoted inclusive governance.
Pope Leo XIV’s papacy is expected to focus on unity, compassion, and guiding the Church through modern challenges.