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 offers comfort to Crans-Montana fire victims on one-month commemorationon February 1, 2026 at 3:31 pm
In a message to a commemoration one month after the deadly Crans-Montana fire, Pope Leo XIV reassures victims and their loved ones that nothing is over in Christ and that a better day will come, in which they will feel joy and experience their loved ones’ closeness again. Read all
- Cardinal Parolin celebrates 60th anniversary of Holy See-Malta relationson February 1, 2026 at 1:17 pm
As the Holy See and Malta mark 60 years of diplomatic relations, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass in Valletta, praising the relationship as “communion already lived” in dialogue and encounter. Read all
- Pope prays for over 200 dead in eastern DRC mine collapseon February 1, 2026 at 11:46 am
Pope Leo XIV prays for the hundreds of people who died this week when a coltan mine collapsed in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and recalls the victims of storms in Mozambique and Portugal. Read all
- Pope Leo joins Cuban Bishops in calling for dialogue with USon February 1, 2026 at 11:28 am
Pope Leo XIV expresses concern for the rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, joining the Cuban Bishops in calling for dialogue, profound reform, and respect for human dignity in the country. Read all
- Pope appeals for Olympic truce ahead of 2026 Winter Gameson February 1, 2026 at 11:26 am
Ahead of the Winter Olympic Games that begin on February 6, Pope Leo XIV urges nations in conflict to respect the traditional Olympic truce. Read all