Pope Leo XIV: Who Is Robert Prevost, the American Cardinal Leading the Church?
Habemus Papam! The conclave has ended, and the Catholic Church has a new Pope
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 08: Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, greets the faithful as he appears from the Central Loggia of St. Peter's Square on May 08, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
American cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Leo XIV, has been elected a new pope by the cardinal electors on the second day of the conclave. On May 8th, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Beata Zawrzel/Getty Images)
American cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Leo XIV, has been elected a new pope by the cardinal electors on the second day of the conclave. On May 8th, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Beata Zawrzel/Getty Images)
Robert Prevost: Pope Leo XIV
Prevost has had a remarkable career within the Catholic Church. Before being elected Pope, he served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops at the Vatican. His leadership in these roles earned him the trust and respect of his fellow cardinals—trust that ultimately led to his election as the successor to Pope Francis.
Pope Francis appoints as new cardinal U.S-born prelate prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Robert Francis Prevost during the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of new Cardinal at St. Peter’s Square on September 30, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Vatican Media/Getty Images) / Vatican Pool
Pope Francis appoints as new cardinal U.S-born prelate prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Robert Francis Prevost during the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of new Cardinal at St. Peter’s Square on September 30, 2023 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Vatican Media/Getty Images) / Vatican Pool
As Pope Leo XIV, he now faces major challenges: healing internal divisions within the Church, addressing the ongoing vocations crisis, and responding to the rise of secularism in many parts of the world. He is also expected to carry forward key reforms begun under Pope Francis, particularly in areas like financial transparency and the Church’s response to sexual abuse.
Pope Leo XIV’s First Words to the World
“Dearest brothers and sisters,” —with this greeting, Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first Urbi et Orbi blessing (“to the city and the world”). In his opening message, Robert Prevost, now officially Leo XIV, paid tribute to Pope Francis and thanked the cardinals for placing their confidence in him.
