In a historic moment for the Catholic church, white smoke escaped from the headset of the Sistine Chapel in the evening of May 8, signaling the election of a new pope. American cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected by the Cardinaux College as 267e Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. He chose the name Pope Leon XIV.
The announcement ” We have a pope “-” We have a pope “-has been made from the central balcony of the Saint-Pierre basilica by Cardinal Protodiacre Dominique Mamberti. A few moments later, the newly elected Pope appeared to greet the faithful, gathered in Saint-Pierre square, and the millions of people who followed the event worldwide.
“May peace be with you all!” “: These were the first words of Pope Leo XIV.
“Very dear brothers and sisters, such is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good pastor who gave his life for the herd of God. Me too, I would like this salvation of peace to enter your heart, reaching your families, all people, wherever they are, all peoples, all the earth. May peace be with you! “Said the pope.
-The new pontiff was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, in the United States. His father was of French and Italian origin, and his mother was of Spanish origin. He studied at the small Augustinian seminar, then at Villanova University, where he obtained a diploma in mathematics and also studied philosophy. In 1977, he entered the Order of Augustins, pronounced his first wishes in 1978 and his solemn wishes in 1981. He studied theology in Chicago, then was sent to Rome to study canon law. He was ordered a priest in 1982.
He obtained his license in 1984 and, while working on his doctoral thesis, he left for Peru as a missionary. During the following decade, he assumed various responsibilities there, in particular that of the priority of the community, director of training, instructor of professed members and professor at the seminar.
In 1999, he was elected provincial prior of the Augustinian province of Chicago, then, two and a half years later, prior general. In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo and, in 2018, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian episcopal conference. In 2019 and 2020, Pope Francis appointed him respectively a member of the Congregation for the Clergy and member of the Congregation for Bishops. In 2023, he was called to Rome as a prefect of the Dicastery for the bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and was promoted to Archbishop. The same year, Pope Francis created him Cardinal, attributing the diaconate of Santa Monica.
At 69, Pope Leo XIV brings with him his experience as a pastor, missionary in the Americas, Canonist, Mathematician and Official to the Vatican. He is the first pope from the Order of Augustins and the first from North America.
