An International Profile with Missionary Roots
Born in Chicago in 1955, Robert Francis Prevost is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine and a highly respected figure both in the Americas and in the Vatican. His career stands out for the balance between academic formation, missionary experience, and leadership capacity. After being ordained a priest in 1982, Prevost spent many years as a missionary in Peru, serving in communities such as Trujillo, Iquitos, Apurímac, and Chulucanas, where he left a lasting pastoral legacy centered on closeness, social justice, and listening to the poor.
In 2014, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, and in 2023, Pope Francis named him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential roles in the Roman Curia. From there, he played a key role in renewing episcopal leadership across the world.
Prevost is multilingual—fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese—and is known for his approachable character, synodal spirit, and ability to build bridges between cultures, generations, and ecclesial perspectives.
The Legacy of Saint Leo and a Vision for the Future
The choice of the name Leo XIV is a clear reference to Saint Leo the Great, a fifth-century Pope celebrated for his doctrinal clarity and leadership during turbulent times. With this symbolic gesture, the new Pope suggests that his pontificate will blend the defense of the faith with renewed openness to dialogue, mercy, and reform.
In his first address, the new Pontiff alluded to the priorities that will define his mission: a Church that goes forth, serves humanity, and is committed to peace, justice, care for creation, and the defense of human dignity.
Church and World Reactions
The election of Leo XIV was met with joy and enthusiasm from the faithful and religious leaders worldwide. In St. Peter’s Square, thousands applauded and celebrated the Pope’s first public appearance from the central balcony of the basilica, where he delivered his words with simplicity and hope.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed its “joy and gratitude to the Holy Spirit,” while the Peruvian episcopate fondly recalled the new Pope’s years of service in Andean and Amazonian communities.
Leaders of other Christian denominations and world religions welcomed his election as “an opportunity for dialogue and mutual understanding.” From Latin America, Africa, and Asia—continents where the Church is growing in vitality—messages of support and hope poured in.
On the political front, numerous heads of state and government officials sent their congratulations, underlining the Vatican’s role as a key player in global diplomacy and a moral voice in international affairs.
A Church Called to Walk Together
The election of Leo XIV comes at a time of profound challenges: secularization in the West, the suffering of persecuted Churches, ideological polarization, climate change, migration crises, and the ongoing need for internal reform. In response, the new Pope is seen as a unifying figure, prioritizing pastoral closeness and the consolidation of the synodal process initiated by his predecessor.
With experience in multicultural realities and deep sensitivity to social and ecclesial margins, Leo XIV embodies a Church that listens, accompanies, and serves.
A New Chapter Begins
The beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate marks a time of spiritual renewal and hope for over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. His election reinforces the missionary and global dimension of the Church, along with its vocation to engage in dialogue with the contemporary world.
From St. Peter’s Square to the most remote communities, the faithful begin to pray for their new Pastor, aware that his leadership will be crucial in guiding the Church through this new era of change and evangelical commitment.
