The Cardinal Protodeacon announced, "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a Pope!"), from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to tens of thousands of pilgrims and onlookers gathered in a rain-swept St. Peter's Square. Shortly thereafter, the 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV appeared, offering his first "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing, a moment met with jubilant cheers and applause.
The election of Pope Leo XIIV follows a conclave convened after Pope Francis's death. His selection marks a significant moment, bringing to the papacy a figure with deep pastoral roots in Latin America and significant recent experience at the heart of Vatican governance.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955, Robert Francis Prevost joined the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) in 1977. His journey included earning a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctorate in Canon Law. Ordained a priest in 1982, much of his early ministry and subsequent episcopal service was in Peru, where he served as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and eventually as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. He became a naturalized citizen of Peru in 2015.
Before his episcopal appointment, Prevost served two terms as Prior General of the Augustinians globally, from 2001 to 2013, an experience that provided him with a broad international perspective on the Church.
In a move that significantly raised his profile, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023 and made him a cardinal in September of the same year. This influential role placed him in charge of overseeing the selection of new bishops worldwide, making him a key figure in shaping the Church's future leadership and a widely discussed papabile (potential papal candidate) leading into the conclave. In February 2025, he was further elevated to the rank of Cardinal-Bishop.
Pope Leo XIV's papacy is anticipated to navigate a complex global landscape, addressing ongoing challenges such as secularization, calls for synodality and lay participation, and the Church's continuing efforts towards healing and reform in the wake of the clergy abuse crisis.
While his deep experience in both the Global North and South is seen as a strength, his record, particularly during his leadership of the Augustinians, has faced scrutiny from survivor advocacy groups concerning the handling of sexual abuse allegations. These aspects of his past will likely draw continued attention as he assumes his new responsibilities.
The formal installation Mass for Pope Leo XIV is expected to be held in the coming days, marking the official commencement of his pontificate. The world now watches as this American-Peruvian Augustinian steps into the shoes of the Fisherman, ready to guide the Catholic Church into its next chapter.