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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  • Pope Leo urges Olympic athletes to foster respect, team spirit, sacrifice
    on January 30, 2026 at 6:32 pm

    Pope Leo XIV sends his encouragement to athletes competing in the 25th Winter Olympic Games, held in Milan and Cortina, inviting them to embrace the true values of sport. Read all  

  • News from the Orient – January 23, 2026
    on January 30, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    In this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, produced in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient, we take a look at the Nineveh Fast celebrated in particular by the Syriac Churches. Read all  

  • Pope releases prayer intentions for 2027
    on January 30, 2026 at 4:42 pm

    Human dignity, art, life, migrants, the elderly, young people, and artificial intelligence: these are some of the themes of the prayer intentions that Pope Leo has entrusted to his Worldwide Prayer Network for next year. Read all  

  • Pope to Peruvian Bishops: Live like the Apostles
    on January 30, 2026 at 1:26 pm

    Pope Leo XIV urges the bishops of Peru to renew their commitment to unity, fidelity to the Gospel, and pastoral closeness, as they face the challenges of evangelisation in today’s world. He also recalls his personal pastoral experience in the nation and admits that Peru has “a special place in my heart.” Read all  

  • US Bishops urge Trump Administration to extend protection for Haitians
    on January 30, 2026 at 12:47 pm

    As Haitians residing in the United States face the end of temporary protected status, US Bishops call on the Trump Administration to act in a “just and merciful way” by extending their temporary residency permits. Read all