Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Elected as First American Pope

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Elected as First American Pope

On May 8, 2025, history was made in the Catholic Church as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope.

He will take the name Pope Leo XIV.

This momentous occasion crowned an extraordinary career in both service and reform.

A Chicago native with deep ties to Peru, Prevost becomes the first American pope, a landmark event not just for the United States but for the global Catholic community.

His papal election promises continuity with Pope Francis’ progressive vision, while setting the stage for a new era of leadership in the Church.

Watch his introduction live below:

Who Is Pope Robert Francis I?

At 69 years old and born in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Francis Prevost embodies cultural and spiritual duality.

While deeply rooted in his American upbringing, Prevost’s years of missionary work in Peru granted him citizenship in 2015, making him equally a product of Latin American Catholicism.

This bicultural background not only enriches his worldview but also reflects the universality of the Catholic Church.

His experiences in the Americas, a region home to nearly half of the world’s Catholics, position him as a leader who intimately understands the diverse realities of the global Church.

Prevost’s path to the papacy began with his entry into the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977.

He made his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest the following year.

A scholar as well as a spiritual leader, he earned advanced degrees in mathematics, divinity, and canon law from prestigious institutions including Villanova University and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

His missionary work in Peru, where he served in various capacities such as chancellor, seminary director, and diocesan official, deeply shaped his pastoral approach and dedication to service.

Prevost was twice elected prior general of the Augustinian Order, leading the community internationally and fostering initiatives in education and human rights.

His leadership in Peru, as bishop of Chiclayo and later as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, solidified his reputation as a reformer dedicated to inclusivity, dialogue, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

RELATED | Remembering Pope Francis

The First American Pope

BREAKING: Cardinal Robert Prevost is the new Pope as Pope Leo XIV.

He’s a Chicago native, and just became the first American Pope. pic.twitter.com/podJe0C6GB

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 8, 2025

Prevost’s election as the first American pope is a watershed moment in Catholic history.

Previously, there had been an unwritten rule against electing a pope from the United States due to the geopolitical power already wielded by the country.

However, Prevost’s dual identity—as an American with strong ties to Peru and an advocate for global Catholic unity—helped transcend these concerns.

His election signifies wider recognition of the shifting centers of Catholicism.

With the Church expanding rapidly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the appointment of a pope with direct ties to these regions highlights the importance of addressing the needs of the global south.

What His Election Means for the Future

Pope Robert Francis I signals a step forward in shaping the Catholic Church to address the complexities of the modern world.

His bicultural identity, academic rigor, and deep pastoral experience equip him to unify a global Church that is diverse in experience but united in faith.

His commitment to dialogue, particularly with youth, marginalized communities, and other faith traditions, stands as a promise to modernize the Church’s approach without losing sight of its foundational values.

This papacy is likely to build upon Pope Francis’ unfinished work, furthering initiatives around climate action, refugee advocacy, and reforms in Church governance.

By embodying both continuity and change, Pope Robert Francis I begins a new era for the Catholic Church, one anchored in tradition but open to transformation.

, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Elected as First American Pope On May 8, 2025, history was made in the Catholic Church as white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope. He will take the name Pope Leo XIV. This momentous occasion crowned, , Read More, App Feed, News, The Willie Moore Jr Show, WMJS App, News Archives – Black America Web, [#item_full_content].