First American elected pontiff, get to know Pope Leo XIV

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7:02 pm

American Cardinal Elected Pope Leo XIV: A New Era for the Catholic Church?

In a historic moment, Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American, has been elected Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. The announcement came on Thursday, following the second day of deliberations at the papal conclave.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Pope Leo XIV was a leading contender to succeed the late Pope Francis. His appointment comes after a career deeply rooted in the Catholic Church, including service in Peru and the Vatican. He was brought to the Vatican by Pope Francis in January 2023 to serve as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a crucial role in vetting bishop nominations worldwide. He was then elevated to Cardinal in September 2023.

Pope Leo XIV is known to be closely aligned with Pope Francis's teachings, particularly on environmental issues, outreach to the poor and migrants, and opening the Church to a wider audience. His journey to the papacy began with his entry into the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977, followed by ordination as a priest in 1982. He served in Peru for many years, including as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas and later as archbishop of Chiclayo. He also served as vice-president of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops Conference.

This election is a significant event, and the world will be watching to see how Pope Leo XIV shapes the future of the Catholic Church.

BNN's Perspective: This is a fascinating development. While the election of an American pope is undoubtedly a historic moment, it also presents unique challenges. The Church will need to navigate potential concerns about the influence of the United States, while also ensuring that the new pontiff remains committed to the core values of the Catholic faith. It will be interesting to see how Pope Leo XIV balances these competing interests and leads the Church forward.

Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost, American Pope, Catholic Church, papal conclave, Pope Francis, Dicastery for Bishops, Order of Saint Augustine, Peru, Chicago, Vatican, environment, migrants, poor, bishop nominations, papal election, first American pope

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