NEW POPE ELECTED: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV
Oru Leonard
New Pope Elected: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, the Cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope. Cardinal Prevost has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
Habemus Papam!
The announcement “Habemus Papam!” (We have a Pope!) marked the culmination of the papal conclave, where Cardinals from around the world gathered to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church.
What’s Next?
As Pope Leo XIV, he will lead the global Catholic community, guiding spiritual direction and doctrine. His papacy is expected to shape the Church’s stance on various issues, and his leadership will be closely watched by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
The election of a new Pope is a significant event in the Catholic Church, and Pope Leo XIV’s tenure is likely to have far-reaching implications for the Church and its followers worldwide.
People watch as the white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025 . (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
About Pope Leonard XIV
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. He’s a historic figure, being the first Pope from the United States and the first Augustinian friar to hold the position. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and went on to earn degrees in mathematics and canon law.
Key Facts About Pope Leo XIV:
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Order: Augustinian friar
- Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University (1977)
- Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (1982)
- Licentiate and doctorate degrees in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (1984 and 1987)
- Previous Roles:
- Prior general of the Augustinians
- Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru
- Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
People react after Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, Oneida Daily Dispatch)
As the new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV is expected to guide the global Catholic community, shaping spiritual direction and doctrine. His papacy will likely have significant implications for the Church and its followers worldwide.
Cover Photo Caption: Pope Leo XIV appears on the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
