In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV. This marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first American to hold the papacy, following the conclave that began on May 7, 2025, after the death of Pope Francis.
The announcement was made by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on May 8, 2025. As thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, Mamberti declared, "Habemus Papam," which translates to "We have a pope," signaling the end of the conclave and the election of Prevost.
Pope Leo XIV, who is 69 years old and was born in Chicago, expressed his hopes for peace in his first public address, stating, "May peace be with all of you." He paid tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, saying, "The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning. So let us follow up that blessing."
During his address, he emphasized the need for the Church to be a missionary institution that builds bridges and engages in dialogue. He also made a special mention of his compatriots from Peru, where he has spent significant time as a missionary. He stated, "Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole church. And for peace throughout the world. And let's ask for this special grace from Mary, our mother."
The conclave, which is a secretive process involving the election of a new pope, saw 133 cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel, where they were sworn to secrecy. They entered the chapel after handing over their phones and were surrounded by precautions to ensure confidentiality, including covering windows to prevent outside observation. The voting process required a two-thirds majority, which is 89 votes.
White smoke was seen emerging from the Sistine Chapel at approximately 6:09 PM local time on May 8, 2025, confirming the election of the new pope. This followed an inconclusive first vote on the previous evening, which produced black smoke, indicating that no decision had been reached. The successful vote occurred during an evening session on the second day of the conclave.
Prevost, who has been a member of the Order of St. Augustine since 1977, has a rich history in the Church. After being ordained in 1982, he served in various roles in Peru, including as Apostolic Administrator and local bishop in Chiclayo. His deep connection with Peru has shaped his pastoral approach, and he has been recognized for his dedication to educational work and pastoral care.
In recent years, Prevost has also held significant positions within the Vatican. He was appointed as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, roles that kept him closely connected to the Vatican's inner workings. His elevation to cardinal came in December 2024, just months before his election as pope.
As Pope Leo XIV, he is expected to continue many of the policies of his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly on social issues. However, he has also expressed more conservative views on certain matters, such as the ordination of women. He cautioned that "Clericalizing women doesn’t necessarily solve a problem," suggesting that it could create new challenges.
The new pope faces a busy agenda ahead, including the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which is scheduled for late May 2025. This event holds historical significance for Christianity, marking the establishment of the Nicene Creed. Additionally, there is a postponed canonization of Carlo Acutis, a teenage boy who became known as "God’s influencer," which was originally planned for April 27, 2025.
Amid these upcoming events, there are also pressing concerns regarding the Church's response to allegations of sexual abuse. Prevost has faced scrutiny due to accusations of covering up abuse within the Church. The Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has voiced concerns about his election, urging the new pope to take a firm stance against abuse and to prioritize the protection of children.
Peter Isely, SNAP’s program director, emphasized the need for the Church to regain its credibility, stating, "The church has no credibility to speak on children's rights while it continues to shelter predators and shield bishops from accountability." The organization challenged Prevost directly, asking, "You can end the abuse crisis — the only question is, will you?"
As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his papacy, the world watches closely to see how he will navigate these complex issues and uphold the legacy of Pope Francis while addressing the challenges that lie ahead for the Catholic Church.
