Vatican City — In a groundbreaking moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the new pope, becoming the first American to ever assume the papacy in the Church’s two-millennia history.

The solemn announcement came late Thursday as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling to the world that the College of Cardinals had chosen a new spiritual leader. Prevost will take the papal name Pope Leone XIV, succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 88 after more than a decade of transformative leadership.

Born in Chicago in 1955 to a Spanish mother and French-Italian father, Pope Leone XIV’s path to the papacy has been shaped by a lifelong dedication to service and a global vision of faith. His early years were filled with spiritual influence—family dinners often hosted priests, and young Robert served as an altar boy while discerning a calling that would take him across continents.

Choosing the Augustinian order for its emphasis on community and introspection, Prevost pursued theological and canonical studies in Rome before being ordained in 1982. Soon after, he was sent to Peru—a country that would become a second home and a defining chapter in his ministry.

During his time in Peru’s rural and urban communities, Prevost took on leadership roles ranging from professor to judicial vicar, and eventually became a naturalized Peruvian citizen. His deep ties to Latin America and fluency in Spanish would later inform his pastoral style and global Church perspective.

As with many clerics who rise to high office, Prevost’s journey has not been without controversy. During his time as provincial head of the Midwest Augustinians in the U.S., he approved the relocation of a priest with a history of abuse near a Catholic school—a decision made in consultation with the local archdiocese and later scrutinized in the press.

His tenure as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, which began officially in 2015, also drew attention when his diocese faced criticism for its handling of abuse allegations in 2022. Diocesan officials denied wrongdoing, but the moment tested his administrative resilience.

Despite these challenges, Prevost’s reputation for humility and commitment earned him Pope Francis’ trust. He was appointed in 2020 to the influential Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the appointment of bishops globally. By 2023, he was leading the office, effectively shaping the Church’s future leadership.

Pope Leone XIV’s election is seen as both a continuation and an evolution of Pope Francis’ legacy. His strong Latin American connections, deep pastoral background, and focus on inclusion and accountability suggest a papacy that could further bridge the global North and South—echoing the Church’s shift toward a more diverse and decentralized future.

In his own words, Prevost once told Pope Francis:

That acceptance now places him at the helm of the Catholic Church at a critical time—navigating global tensions, moral crises, and the urgent call for reform within one of the world’s oldest institutions.


By WafricNews Desk.