By Omowumi Omotosho
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old American, has been elected as the 267th pope, taking the name Leo XIV. This marks the first time in the Church’s 2,000-year history that an American has ascended to the papacy.
The announcement came on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025, as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 6:07 p.m. local time, signaling the successful conclusion of the conclave. Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti delivered the traditional “Habemus Papam” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, introducing Pope Leo XIV to the world.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Prevost has a rich background in both pastoral and administrative roles within the Church. He served as a missionary in Peru for over a decade, later becoming the Bishop of Chiclayo. In 2023, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis, a position that elevated his profile within the Vatican.
In his first public address as pope, Leo XIV greeted the faithful with the words, “Peace be with all of you,” emphasizing a message of unity and continuity. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and expressed a commitment to walking together with the global Catholic community.
Pope Leo XIV’s election is seen as a continuation of the reformist path charted by Pope Francis, with expectations that he will address ongoing challenges such as global diplomatic tensions, internal Church divisions, and declining church attendance in the West.
The new pope’s diverse heritage, including American and Peruvian citizenship, reflects the increasingly global nature of the Catholic Church. His election has been met with enthusiasm by the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and around the world, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Church’s history.
