By The Sampadak Express
History was made on Thursday as Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old American cardinal, was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the papal name Leo XIV, Prevost becomes the first American ever to ascend to the papacy, marking a significant milestone in the Church’s nearly 2,000 year history.
The announcement came after a series of votes by the College of Cardinals during a closed-door conclave held in the Sistine Chapel. The world watched in anticipation as white smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney a traditional signal that a new pope had been chosen. Roughly 70 minutes later, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and proclaimed the famous Latin phrase, “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”), introducing Pope Leo XIV to the faithful gathered in Vatican City and millions watching around the globe.
Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, who passed away last month after leading the Church for 12 years. Pope Francis’s papacy was marked by a commitment to social justice, humility, and global outreach a legacy that many expect Pope Leo XIV to continue and build upon.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, he is of French and Italian ancestry. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, Prevost devoted much of his life to missionary and pastoral work in Latin America, particularly in Peru, where he served as a bishop and led various Church initiatives.
Prevost studied theology and canon law, eventually earning a doctorate. His global experience began in earnest when he was appointed as a missionary in Peru, where he would serve for decades. From 2001 to 2013, he held the role of Prior General of the Augustinians, leading the order through a period of international growth and modernization.
In 2015, Prevost was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo in northern Peru, where he became known for his pastoral outreach, focus on the poor, and commitment to indigenous communities. His deep ties to Latin America made him a natural choice for broader leadership roles in the Vatican.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops the powerful Vatican office responsible for the selection of bishops worldwide and also named him President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Later that year, he was created a cardinal, and in early 2025, he was promoted to the rank of cardinal-bishop, the highest tier within the College of Cardinals.
A Papacy of Unity and Mission
Observers say Pope Leo XIV’s election reflects a desire among the cardinals for a leader who bridges North and South America, combining deep theological expertise with extensive pastoral experience in the developing world. Known for his humility, multilingual ability, and dedication to intercultural dialogue, Leo XIV is expected to emphasize the Church’s mission in regions experiencing growth in Catholic populations, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
He also faces significant challenges: declining church attendance in the West, the continued fallout from clerical abuse scandals, and global political instability. Yet those close to him describe him as a “listener” and “reformer,” qualities many hope will help him shepherd the Church into a new era.
As the newly elected pope stepped onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, he offered a brief but powerful message of peace, hope, and renewal, followed by his first apostolic blessing as Bishop of Rome and leader of over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
Pope Leo XIV’s papacy begins at a pivotal time in Church history and the world will be watching as he takes the helm of one of the oldest and most influential institutions on the planet.
