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.”

Social links to Vatican news

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

Vatican News – English News from the Vatican – News about the Church

  • Pope: Historical U.S.-Europe alliance important today and in the future
    on December 9, 2025 at 7:51 pm

    In remarks to journalists in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo says the historical alliance between Europe and the United States may “unfortunately” be changing and confirms the Holy See is working behind the scenes to bring Ukrainian children deported to Russia back home. Read all  

  • The sprouting of the Council, sixty years on
    on December 9, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    The proclamation of the faith, and the conscience of a Church that knows it does not shine with its own light. Read all  

  • Pope sends aid to Asian countries struck by floods
    on December 9, 2025 at 4:35 pm

    Pope Leo XIV sends aid to South and Southeast Asian countries devastated by cyclones and monsoon floods. Read all  

  • Pope urges educators in Africa to support youth seeking a better future
    on December 9, 2025 at 4:18 pm

    Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic educators in Africa to help young people regain confidence in their future, especially those driven to leave the continent. In a message addressed to a congress held in Nairobi, he calls for formation that strengthens family life, revives solidarity and sacrifice, and shapes leaders committed to the common good. Read all  

  • 2025: A deadly year for journalists
    on December 9, 2025 at 3:52 pm

    Reporters Without Borders release a report listing the number of journalists killed this year: “2025, a deadly year for journalists: this is where hate and impunity lead”. Read all