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: ‘I was thinking of retiring, but instead I surrendered to God’
    on December 2, 2025 at 4:30 pm

    Aboard the papal plane returning to Rome from Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists about the role of the Holy See, which works “behind-the-scenes” in peace negotiations, so that all parties may lay down arms. Regarding Ukraine, the Pope underlines Europe’s involvement and the important role Italy could play, and answers a question about how he reacted to his election, stressing the importance of giving one’s life to God and letting him “lead the way”. Read all  

  • Hope for Lebanon and for the world
    on December 2, 2025 at 4:18 pm

    Our Editorial Director reflects on the message of hope offered by Lebanon, even amid its suffering, which Pope Leo XIV says is shown by young people who believe in peace, and by families who look beyond differences of belief and welcome those in need. Read all  

  • Lebanon faces renewed instability
    on December 2, 2025 at 3:58 pm

    Lebanon is facing renewed instability as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues. Read all  

  • Zimbabwe: Bishops urge national renewal, compassion, and responsible stewardship in Advent
    on December 2, 2025 at 2:18 pm

    As the Church enters the sacred Season of Advent, Zimbabwe’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) has released a Pastoral Statement titled “Advent Pastoral Message – Remember the Poor,” in which it invites Zimbabweans to use the period as a time of national renewal, both social and spiritual. Read all  

  • Pope Leo at Beirut farewell: ‘Choose peace as a way, not just a goal’
    on December 2, 2025 at 11:52 am

    Before taking off for Rome at Beirut’s airport, Pope Leo XIV concludes his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, calling for dialogue, fraternity, and reconciliation across the Middle East and expressing his hope that those who “currently consider themselves enemies” may embrace a spirit of fraternity and commitment to peace. Read all