The Catholic Church has entered a new chapter. In a historic conclave that followed the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the College of Cardinals has elected Robert Francis Prevost as the new pontiff. He will now be known as Pope Leo XIV—the 267th pope in the Church’s two-millennia history.
The election took place behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinal electors under the age of 80 gathered in solemn deliberation.
Their choice signals not only a continuation of Pope Francis’ reforms but also a generational shift—Prevost, at 69, is seen as both experienced and young enough to steer long-term change.
From Midwest Roots to Global Mission
Born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Pope Leo XIV’s early faith was shaped at St. Mary of the Assumption parish in Dolton, Illinois.
But his story is far from provincial. Ordained in 1982, he quickly expanded his ministry beyond U.S. borders, earning a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome before committing two decades to missionary work in Peru.
It was in Chiclayo, Peru, where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023, that Prevost earned a reputation as a hands-on pastor with a strong theological backbone. He eventually became a naturalized Peruvian citizen—further proof of his deep-rooted commitment to Latin America.
But his time in Peru was not without controversy. His archdiocese was embroiled in allegations of mishandling sexual abuse claims, accusations his office has denied.
Still, the shadow of these events may complicate the otherwise glowing narrative of reform and global unity his papacy now represents.
The Man Behind the Mitre: A Reformer With Reach
In 2023, Pope Francis handpicked Prevost to lead the powerful Dicastery for Bishops—the Vatican body that oversees episcopal appointments worldwide.
Replacing Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prevost was tasked with shaping the future leadership of the Church, an assignment that confirmed his rising influence inside Vatican walls.
That role, combined with his position at the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, positioned him uniquely as a bridge between continents.
American by birth, Latin American by mission, and Vatican-trained by experience, Pope Leo XIV now steps into a global role with a resume that reads like a roadmap of the modern Catholic Church.
Despite some concerns about his relatively young age—at least by papal standards—he’s widely seen as a capable leader with a clear vision. His election hints at a Vatican interested in long-term reform rather than short-term stewardship.
What Comes Next for Pope Leo XIV?
As the white smoke clears and the world meets its new spiritual leader, questions remain about how Pope Leo XIV will build upon Pope Francis’ legacy.
Will he lean further into reform? Will he shift focus toward Latin America and the Global South? One thing is certain: he inherits a Church that is both deeply divided and deeply hopeful.
His Midwestern humility, combined with international experience and theological depth, gives the Church a leader who may just bridge the past and the future. And in a world starved for moral clarity, Pope Leo XIV has arrived with both a name and a mission that promise transformation.
