Cardinal Robert Prevost Becomes First American Pope, Takes The Name Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Prevost Becomes First American Pope, Takes The Name Leo XIV

Robert Prevost just made history.

The 69-year-old Chicago native and longtime missionary in Peru has officially been elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Now going by Pope Leo XIV, he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica wearing the traditional red papal cape.

 

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His election breaks a long-standing Vatican taboo against a U.S. pope, given the global power the U.S. already holds. However, his Peruvian citizenship and ties to Latin America likely helped ease concerns.

Pope Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to lead the Dicastery for Bishops and later named him president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Now, he steps into the papacy with experience across several continents and the backing of his predecessor.

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