Leo XIV: A New Era for the Catholic Church's First U.S. Pope

Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, becomes the first U.S. leader of the Catholic Church. Chosen by 133 cardinal electors, he seeks to continue the modernizing reforms initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis, while emphasizing social justice, peace, and charity in his mission.

In an unexpected decision, Cardinal Robert Prevost has been named the new leader of the Catholic Church, assuming the name Pope Leo XIV. As the first U.S. pontiff, Pope Leo emerged on the iconic St. Peter's Basilica balcony, shortly after the symbolic white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaled his election by 133 cardinal electors.

Pope Leo greeted the crowd in Italian and Spanish, though not in English, signaling his connection to his South American missionary work. Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Prevost's career has largely been centered in Peru, where he recently became a cardinal in 2023. He has maintained a low media profile, appearing in public sparingly.

President Donald Trump promptly extended his congratulations, marking the appointment as a significant moment for the United States. Prevost follows the late Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, who sought to modernize the Church extensively. Echoing Francis, Leo XIV stresses peace, charity, and engagement with the contemporary world in his papacy. While some cardinals advocate for continuity with Francis' reforms, others favor a return to traditionalism. Nonetheless, Prevost's commitment to social justice echoes the legacy of his predecessor.

(With inputs from agencies.)