Pope Leo XIV, formerly cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as pope on May 8.
A Chicago native, Leo is the first U.S. citizen to become pope — although he also holds Peruvian citizenship, having spent 20 years in the South American country.
Leo’s name was called from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica nearly two hours after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel to announce his election. He then emerged to deliver the first speech of his papacy, setting the tone for his term.
The pope was elected after a two-day conclave during which the cardinals were enclosed within the Vatican, barred from any contact with the outside world.
Pope Leo XIV began by praising his predecessor, wishing that the peace Pope Francis strove for in life would enter the hearts of all people in the world. A call for peace was a common thread in his first address as Pope: his first words to the crowd were “la pace sia con tutti voi,” or “peace be with you all” in Italian.
Leo celebrated his roots in specific communities in the church. He channelled his membership in the Order of St. Augustine and switched to Spanish to praise the congregation of Chiclayo in Peru, where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023.
He continued in Italian, leading a prayer for peace and reciting the Hail Mary.
Towards the end of his speech, Leo called for a united Church under the papacy, potentially signalling a break from Pope Francis who moved power outside of the Vatican by empowering local priests and bishops to interpret aspects of church doctrine.
He is the first pope to take the name “Leo” since the 19th century. During his speech he cited “Rerum novarum,” an 1891 encyclical by Pope Leo XIII that advocated for workers’ rights.
Since 2023, Leo had served as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and oversaw the appointment of new bishops as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015.
The pope was elected after a two-day conclave during which the cardinals were enclosed within the Vatican, barred from any contact with the outside world.
Leo is 69 years old, making him a relatively young pope who will likely have a longer term. Francis, in comparison, was elected pope at 76.
