CARDINAL Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th Bishop of Rome, making him the first American and first Augustinian to become pope. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV is the second pontiff from the Americas, following Pope Francis of Argentina.
Standing before a joyous crowd in St. Peter’s Square, the newly elected pope greeted the world with his first words: "Peace be with all of you!"
The announcement was made moments earlier by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti from the central balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica, using the traditional Latin proclamation: “Habemus Papam!”
Pope Leo XIV was elected by a conclave of 133 voting cardinals, requiring a two-thirds majority to succeed.
The white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2025 (Vatican time), signaled the decision had been made.
He is expected to continue many of Pope Francis’ priorities, including a focus on pastoral care, curial reform, and global inclusion.
'God loves everyone'
In his first words as the newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV offered a message of unity, peace, and faith to over 2.1 billion Catholics worldwide.
In his speech, Pope Leo XIV paid homage to his predecessor, Pope Francis, referencing his final Easter blessing.
“The Pope, who blessed Rome, gave his blessing to the entire world that morning of Easter. Let me follow that up: God loves us. God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail,” the Pope said.
“We are all in the hands of God. Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand, and with God, and amongst ourselves, let us go forward. We are the disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light,” he added.
In an appeal for unity and outreach, he urged the Church to become a bridge between people.
“Help us and all others to build bridges with dialogue, with meeting, to be one common people living always in peace,” Pople Leo XIV said.
Pope Leo XIV described his vision of a fearless Church, rooted in faith and missionary zeal.
“Seeking work with men and women who are faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries,” the Pope said.
As a member of the Augustinian order, the new pope reflected on the words of St. Augustine to describe his relationship with the Church.
“I am a son of Augustine, who said, ‘With you I am Christian, and for you, a bishop.’ And I think in that sense we can walk together to that homeland, that home which God has prepared for us,” Pope Leo XIV said.
“We have to seek together to be a missionary Church… always ready to accept like this great piazza with its arcs… to show our charity, presence, and dialogue with love,” he added.
In closing, the pope issued a call to the universal Church to embrace synodality and compassion.
“We must be a synodal Church, one which goes forward and which always seeks peace, charity, and to be close to those who suffer,” the Pope said.
Global roots
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, to a family of French, Italian, and Spanish descent.
He entered the Order of Saint Augustine and made his first vows in 1978.
The Pontiff was ordained a priest in Rome in 1982 after completing his theological studies, and later earned a doctorate in Canon Law.
Following his academic training, he spent over a decade serving in Peru, where he was deeply involved in parish ministry, seminary education, and diocesan leadership.
In 1999, he was elected Provincial Prior of the Augustinian Province of Chicago and subsequently served two terms as Prior General of the worldwide Augustinian Order.
His episcopal motto, “In Illo uno unum” (“In the One, One”), taken from Saint Augustine, reflects his lifelong emphasis on unity in Christ.
In 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, a role he held until 2023.
That year, Pope Francis brought him to the Vatican to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a position that placed him at the heart of episcopal appointments and made him one of the pope’s most trusted advisors.
In 2024, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis and participated actively in the Synod on Synodality and several papal journeys, further establishing his reputation as a globally engaged and reform-minded church leader. (JGS/SunStar Philippines)