Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Leo XIV, the new spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

At 69, Prevost becomes the first-ever pope from the United States, hailing from Chicago, Illinois. His election comes after just two days of conclave deliberations—matching the swift timelines seen during the elections of his predecessors, Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI.

A globally experienced leader, Pope Leo XIV is widely respected for his pastoral work and diplomatic balance. He spent more than a decade as a missionary in Peru, where he served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023. He also led the Augustinian Order for over ten years as prior general, giving him leadership experience over a worldwide religious community.

Before his election, Prevost headed the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential departments within the Vatican, overseeing the global appointment of bishops. He also presided over the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, further strengthening his credentials as a globally minded church leader.

Despite longstanding skepticism over choosing an American pope—due to concerns over US geopolitical influence—Prevost’s deep roots in Latin America and his commitment to a global church appear to have reassured the cardinal electors.

Prevost earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University and studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He later earned a doctorate in canon law in Rome and taught at a seminary in Trujillo, Peru. He was ordained a priest in 1982.

The cardinals elected the pontiff after four rounds of voting. A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries participated in the conclave.