08/05/2025
HABEMUS PAPAM: CARDINAL ROBERT FRANCIS PREVOST BECOMES 267TH POPE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
At a Papal Conclave convened on 7th May, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the head of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday 8th May, 2025, becoming the first American to be elected Pope. The new Pope has chosen Leo XIV as his papal name - after his predecessor Pope Leo XIII whose Papacy began in 1878.
The 69 years old American-born Supreme Pontiff, born on 14th September, 1955 in the south suburbs of Chicago where he was part of St. Mary of the Assumption parish near Dolton, Illinois, was ordained to the Priesthood on 19th June 1982. He was ordained to the Episcopate on 12th December 2014 and elevated to the College of Cardinals on 30th September 2023 by Pope Francis (of blessed memory). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, a Licentiate in Canon Law from Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, and a Doctorate in Canon Law from Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.
Leo XIV served for two decades in Peru, where he served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, and became a naturalized citizen. Prior to that, His Holiness the Pope served at the Order of St. Augustine, long before being appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to head the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office that oversees episcopal appointments worldwide. Among the many offices and capacities he served include (but unlimited to) his Missionary work in Chulucanas, Peru, various roles in Trujillo, Peru including community prior, formation director, and professor; Provincial of the Augustinian Province in Chicago; Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine (two terms); Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru; President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. The 267th Pope is a member of the Dicastery for Clergy; Dicastery for Evangelization; Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, among several other roles and memberships.
In an interview with the Vatican's official news site last year, the new Pope emphasized that "The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom," but is "called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them. It is believed that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV aims at being a servant leader. Some(including his supporters), however, argue that his experience and international experience mark a return to pastoral leadership. Our church now turns to Robert Prevost for leadership at a pivotal time for the Church and for the faithful around the globe.
