Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American missionary and former archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, has made history as the first American to be elected pope. He took the name Leo XIV and was announced as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday (May 8). The election took place during the largest conclave in the Church's history, with 133 cardinal electors participating.

Prevost grew up in Chicago and graduated from Villanova University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He then went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

After becoming a priest in 1982 he joined the Augustinian religious order and spent much of his career in Peru. He lived in the country until 1987, when he returned to the United States to serve as the pastor for vocations and director of missions for the Augustinian Province of Chicago. In 1988 he went back to Peru to lead the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo.

In 1999, he found himself back in Chicago, when he was elected provincial prior of the “Mother of Good Counsel” province in the archdiocese. He was then elected as prior general of the Augustinian and served two terms until 2013.

He returned to Peru in 2014 when Pope Francis appointed him to serve as the bishop of Chiclayo. He held the position until 2023, when he was named a cardinal and tasked to be the leader of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Prevost chose the papal name Leo, which is tied with Clement for the fourth most common name chosen by popes. However, it has been over one hundred years since the name was chosen. Pope Leo XIII served as head of the Catholic Church from 1878 until he passed away 25 years later in 1903. According to CNN, the first Pope Leo was known as "Leo the Great" and was credited with saving the Roman Empire by convincing Attila the Hun to halt his invasion. A meeting between the two was depicted in a painting by Raphael, which is currently on display at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

In his first address from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace and dialogue, speaking in both Italian and Spanish. He recalled his years as a missionary and expressed a desire for unity within the Church. "We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open," he told the crowd gathered in Vatican Square.

Pope Leo XIV's leadership is expected to continue the reforms initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis. He is known for his dedication to service and evangelization and has already presided over significant changes, including adding women to the voting bloc for bishop nominations. As he begins his papacy, many are eager to see how he will shape the future of the Catholic Church.

President Donald Trump acknowledged the historic election in a post on Truth Social.

"Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!" he wrote.

Simon Conway