With a puff of white smoke, the Vatican announced a new pope of the Catholic church, US-Peruvian citizen Cardinal Robert Prevost. Thousands of people in St Peter’s Square chanted in chorus the name adopted by Robert Prevost as he ascended to the papacy as the new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
In his first words as pope, Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor Francis. “We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed us,” he said. “United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together,” he told cheering crowds. It was a closely watched moment, with red-hatted cardinals poking out of nearby windows to catch their first glimpse of the newly minted pontiff.
Experts say Pope Leo is likely to carry forward the legacy of his predecessor, Francis, while forging his own path.
A Life of Service Across Continents
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Robert Prevost embarked on a life of religious dedication early on. After joining the Order of Saint Augustine, he pursued theological studies at Villanova University and the Catholic Theological Union. He later earned advanced degrees in canon law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. His missionary work took him to Peru, where he served extensively from the mid-1980s through the late 1990s, eventually becoming the Bishop of Chiclayo. In recognition of his deep ties to the region, he acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015.
Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a priest in his home city. He spent 10 years as a local parish pastor and as a teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in north-western Peru. He became archbishop in January 2023 and within a few months Pope Francis made him a cardinal.
The new pope is well known to cardinals because of his high-profile role as the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America. In this role he had the task of selecting and supervising bishops.
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Phil Pullella (a Vatican expert who has covered the papacy for more than four decades) said that the background of Robert offers a degree of continuity with Francis. “He knows about poverty in Latin America,” Pullella said of Leo XIV. “So, he’s not the same thing as if they had elected some cardinal of New York, for example.”
A Bridge-Builder in a Divided Church
Pope Leo XIV is widely regarded as a centrist and unifying figure within the Church. His leadership style reflects a blend of progressive values and measured dialogue aimed at unifying a fractured global Church.
He is expected to continue many of Pope Francis’s reformist initiatives, particularly those emphasising outreach to the poor and environmental stewardship. However, his reserved public stance on divisive issues, such as women’s roles and traditional liturgies, leaves some uncertainty about his direction.
Pope Leo XIV’s election was met with widespread acclaim, reflecting his reputation for humility, pastoral focus and efforts to build bridges within the Church during challenging times. His life story of growing up in a modest Chicago suburb to working in remote Peruvian villages underscores his connection to both the American and broader Catholic communities.
What are Pope Leo’s views?
Early attention will focus on Leo XIV’s pronouncements to see whether he will continue his predecessor’s reforms in the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost is believed to have shared Francis’ views on migrants, the poor and the environment.
A former roommate of his, Reverend John Lydon, described Prevost to the BBC as “outgoing,” “down to earth”, and “very concerned with the poor.” On his personal background, Prevost told Italian network Rai before his election that he grew up in a family of immigrants.
“I was born in the United States… But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish… I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish,” he said.
Sexual Abuse Scandals
Although Prevost was born in the US, the Vatican described him as the second pope from the Americas (Francis was from Argentina). During his time in Peru, he was unable to escape the sexual abuse scandals that have clouded the Church, even though his diocese has fervently denied he has been involved in any attempted cover-up.
LGBT Views
The new Pope’s LGBT views are unclear, but some groups, including the conservative College of Cardinals, believe he may be less supportive than Francis. Leo XIV has shown support for a declaration from Francis to permit blessings for same-sex couples and others in “irregular situations.” He also added that bishops must interpret such directives in accordance with local contexts and cultures.
Views on Climate Change
Speaking last year about climate change, Cardinal Prevost said that it was time to move “from words to action”. He called on mankind to build a “relationship of reciprocity” with the environment.
Let’s See What the Era of the New Pope Holds
When Pope Leo XIV will begin his papacy, he will likely face significant challenges. These include internal Church divisions, the continuing abuse scandal and declining church attendance in the West. However, his extensive experience, cultural sensitivity and commitment to unity position him well to navigate these complexities.
In his first public appearance, Pope Leo XIV offered a prayer at the altar and later knelt in private reflection, embodying the humility and dedication that many hope will define his papacy.
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