After a brief spell of less than a day in secluded contemplation within the Vatican walls, the cardinals brought the 2025 papal conclave to a close with the historic election of a new spiritual leader. The esteemed Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged victorious, assuming the mantle of Pope Leo XIV – a landmark figure as the Church's first-ever pontiff hailing from the United States. Allow me to paint a portrait of this remarkable individual.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in 1955 in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, not only marks a new chapter for the Church but also stands as a proud son of America. His dual citizenship with Peru, where he dedicated many years of his life, adds an intriguing layer to his story.
According to CBS News Chicago, Pope Leo grew up in the south suburban town of Dolton, surrounded by the warmth of two brothers and a deeply religious family. Linda Jorsch, a childhood acquaintance, reminisced, "His family was incredibly devout. Both parents were pillars of our church community, never missing a service and actively involved in every parish endeavor. His mother was a cherished member of the Altar & Rosary Society, and they all served as lectors, embodying a life of faith and devotion."
Educational milestones included a degree in mathematics from the esteemed Villanova University in Pennsylvania, followed by a Master's in Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. At the age of 27, his journey took him to Rome for further studies, culminating in his ordination as a priest in 1982. He later earned a doctorate in canon law from the prestigious Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas.
A seminary classmate, Father Mark R. Francis, CSV, provincial of the Viatorians in the United States, described Cardinal Prevost as a man of quiet strength. "He's not one to seek the spotlight," Father Francis shared with CBS News Chicago. "Instead, he's calm, profoundly intelligent, and incredibly compassionate, embodying the qualities of a true leader."
Intriguingly, Pope Leo maintains an active voter registration in the Chicago suburbs, with voting records revealing his participation in several general elections and both Democratic and Republican primaries. From the 2024 general election to those in 2012, 2008, 2004, and 2000, he has consistently engaged in the democratic process. His ballot casting also extends to the 2016 and 2012 Republican presidential primaries, as well as the 2008 and 2010 Democratic primaries.
For years, Pope Leo has been an active voice on political matters on his X account, occasionally sharing posts that critique the Trump administration's stance on immigration. One such post featured an article titled, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," which criticized the Catholic vice president's hierarchical view of love.
Following his ordination, Prevost embarked on a missionary journey to Peru, returning to the U.S. briefly before resuming his duties in Peru, where he ran an Augustinian seminary in Trujillo. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. A year later, he ascended to the rank of bishop, further cementing his legacy in the Catholic Church.
In the year 2023, Pope Francis bestowed upon him the esteemed title of cardinal. Prior to ascending to the papal throne, the 69-year-old Prevost held the prestigious position of heading the church's Dicastery for Bishops, effectively overseeing the vetting and selection of new bishops. Generally regarded as a centrist, Prevost has shown a progressive stance on numerous social issues, championing marginalized communities akin to Francis, who has been a vocal advocate for migrants and the downtrodden. However, his conservative views on church doctrine become evident in his opposition to ordaining women as deacons. According to CBS News' papal contributor Francis X. Rocca, "He maintained a discreet demeanor on the most contentious, nerve-wracking, delicate, and divisive matters" confronting the church.
President Trump took to social media to celebrate the naming of the first American-born pope, posting, "Heartfelt congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has just been named Pope. It fills me with immense pride to recognize that he is the inaugural American Pope. How thrilling and what an extraordinary honor for our nation. I eagerly anticipate meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a profoundly meaningful encounter!"
Former President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, tweeted, "Habemus papam - May God's blessings rain upon Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I extend our congratulations and best wishes for his success." Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama also extended his felicitations to "a fellow Chicagoan," stating, "Michelle and I send our warmest congratulations to our fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This marks a historic day for the United States, and we will offer our prayers as he embarks on the sacred duty of leading the Catholic Church and setting a paradigm for countless individuals, regardless of their faith."
In Prevost's hometown of Chicago, the celebration was palpable, with Mayor Brandon Johnson tweeting, "All that's cool, even the Pope, originates from Chicago!" He added, "Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV! We eagerly await your return home."
Upon being elected, a new pope's first act is to adopt a new name, symbolizing that his ascension to the pontificate is akin to a rebirth, as explained by the Vatican. Cardinal Prevost chose the papal name Leo, a historically popular moniker that has been borne by 13 previous popes, the most recent being Pope Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903. "The name Leo echoes back to Pope Leo the Great," elucidated CBS News' papal contributor Candida Moss. Also known as Pope Leo I, his reign spanned from 440 to 461 and is notable for his famous encounter with Attila the Hun, where he persuaded him to refrain from attacking Rome. "What does this signify for our new pope? Perhaps it indicates that he too will confront oppressive political forces globally," Moss speculated. She further noted that Leo I was renowned as "a great intellectual and theological reformer."
The name chosen by a new pope often mirrors the attributes they aspire to embody during their papacy. It serves as "an indicator of a certain spirit, direction, and vision of the new pope," said Dennis Doyle, a theologian and professor emeritus of religious studies at the University of Dayton. For instance, Pope Francis was the first pope to bear that name, paying homage to St. Francis of Assisi. In Catholic tradition, St. Francis of Assisi experienced a mystical vision of Jesus, who instructed him to rebuild his church. He relinquished his wealth and founded the Franciscan order of friars in 1290.
