Even before his name was announced from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the crowd erupted with cheers, shouting “Viva il Papa” — a joyful welcome for the new Pope.
At 69 years old, Robert Prevost has been elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Though he holds the distinction of being the first Pope born in the United States, his long service in Latin America — especially in Peru — has led many to view him as deeply connected to the region both in mission and spirit.
Prevost was born in 1955 in Chicago to a family of French and Ecuadorian descent. He started his religious path early as an altar boy and was ordained a priest in 1982. In 1985, he joined the Augustinian mission in Peru, dedicating much of his life to ministering in underserved communities. Despite his work abroad, he remained linked to his homeland, often returning to Chicago to serve in various pastoral roles.
He later acquired Peruvian citizenship and became a respected figure in Trujillo, in the country’s northwest, where he worked as a parish priest and taught at a seminary.
During his first remarks as Pope Leo XIV, he paid tribute to Pope Francis, stating, “The soft yet brave voice of Pope Francis still echoes among us.” He emphasized unity and faith, calling on the Church to move forward hand in hand with God.