Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope on May 8, 2025 (local time), taking the name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV is the Church’s first Augustinian Pope, and the first born in North America.
The future Pope was born and raised in Chicago in the United States in 1955. At 27, he was sent to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). Later, he served a mission in Peru, and became the Bishop of Chiclayo.
In 2023, then-Pope Francis called him to Rome to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Later appointed by Francis as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he became a Cardinal in 2024.
When Pope Francis was hospitalised in early 2025, the future Pope Leo XIV presided over the Rosary for Pope Francis’s health in Saint Peter’s Square.
A Pope of peace
Pope Leo XIV calls us to pray for peace in a world in the midst of storms. The new Pope’s first words when addressing the world from the Central Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica not long after his election were “Peace be with you!”
He also said:
“God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.”
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- Day Seven in Africa: Pope invites Angolans to begin anew, loving with a mother’s hearton April 19, 2026 at 7:43 pm
Pope Leo XIV wraps up his seventh day in Africa, during which he celebrated Holy Mass in Kilamba and prayed the Rosary at the Mamã Muxima Shrine, in Angola. Read all
- Pope at Mamã Muxima: It is love that must triumph, not waron April 19, 2026 at 5:27 pm
During his visit to Angola, Pope Leo XIV prays with pilgrims at the historic Mamã Muxima Shrine, urging young people to draw from Marian devotion a commitment to justice, solidarity, and peace in society. Read all
- Musicians, missionaries and medics at the Pope’s Mass in Kilambaon April 19, 2026 at 4:11 pm
People from around the world gather in Kilamba to participate in Holy Mass with Pope Leo XIV, on Sunday, 19 April, during his Apostolic Journey in Africa. Read all
- Pope Leo’s historic visit reinforces Mama Muxima as a shrine of solace in Angolaon April 19, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Pope Leo XIV’s Sunday afternoon visit to Angola’s most famous shrine is a major boost to Marian devotees across Angola and southern Africa. At the Sanctuary of Mama Muxima—arguably Southern Africa’s largest Catholic pilgrimage site and a key symbol of Marian devotion—the Pope, on his first visit, has brought deserved global attention to this revered yet hidden treasure. Read all
- Pope Leo appeals for dialogue to end wars in Ukraine and Middle Easton April 19, 2026 at 11:23 am
Speaking at the Regina Coeli after Mass in Angola, Pope Leo XIV expresses closeness to the people of Ukraine amid intensified attacks and appeals for dialogue and diplomatic efforts in Lebanon. Read all