Here’s what we know about first American pope

The Papal conclave has elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Here’s what we know about him so far.

After just two votes, the College of Cardinals elected Prevost, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV and is the first ever pope elected from the United States. Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away April 21.

Originally from Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff was ordained a priest in 1982 and spent much of his time in Peru as a missionary before assuming the office of Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, according to Peruvian newspaper la Repubblica. Pope Francis then appointed Prevost to prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In 2025, he was promoted to the episcopal order of the College of Cardinals.

The new pope holds dual citizenship in Peru. He reportedly speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese.

Prior to his priesthood, Prevost attended Villanova University to study mathematics. He later received a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Pope Leo XIV is the first Augustinian friar elected to the papacy.

In 1984 Prevost earned a licentiate and later a doctorate degree in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Pope Leo XIV is 69 years old, the youngest pope since 1978 and the first pope ever from the USA.

He was born in Chicago and is a graduate of @VillanovaU.

A member of the Augustinian order, he spent over 20 years doing ministerial work in Peru both as a priest and bishop. https://t.co/mh9JI4HCM1

— Conor Coutts (@_CCoutts_) May 8, 2025

The new leader of the Catholic Church chose the name Leo, one of the most popular papal names but one that has not been chosen since before Vatican II. Some sources suggest the name may symbolize Prevost intends to be a Church reformer and focus on Catholic social teachings like his predecessor, Pope Leo XIII.

Despite being a registered Republican, Prevost has seemingly expressed support for relaxed borders and climate change measures. The Holy Father also sent out an X post that included a link to an article calling Vice President JD Vance wrong about Christian teachings saying one should love their own family before others in their community.

JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others https://t.co/hDKPKuMXmu via @NCRonline

— Robert Prevost (@drprevost) February 3, 2025

The new Bishop of Rome also reposted several posts demonstrating support for gun control and prayers for George Floyd.

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