Who Is the New Pope? Meet Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost)

Few moments in modern history carry the weight of a papal election. When white smoke curled above the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church welcomed its 267th pope — and, for the first time in two millennia, one born in the United States.

New Pope: Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) ·
Election Date: May 8, 2025 ·
Age: 69 ·
Nationality: American ·
Predecessor: Pope Francis ·
Order: 267th

Seven key facts place the 267th pope in context:

The pattern: Every row draws from official Vatican records and major news organizations, giving readers a fact-dense reference for the new pontiff.

Who is our new pope now?

Robert Francis Prevost: The man behind the name

• Born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois (CNN).
• He earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University and studied theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (NPR).
• Ordained in 1982, he spent years as a missionary in Peru and later became a naturalized Peruvian citizen (BBC News; Britannica).
• Before the conclave, he served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (USCCB).

Election details

• The 2025 conclave began on May 7 and elected Prevost on the fourth ballot the next day (CNBC).
• He took the name Leo XIV — the first pope to choose that name since Pope Leo XIII in 1878.
• His first words from the loggia: “Peace be with you” (AP News).

Why is the new pope named Leo?

Significance of the name Leo

• Leo means “lion” and has been used by 13 previous popes, including two saints: Pope Leo I (the Great) and Pope Leo XIII (Britannica).
• Pope Leo XIV has stated he chose the name to honor Pope Leo XIII, who modernized the Church’s social teaching, and Leo the Great, who defended orthodoxy (Vatican News).
• The name signals a commitment to dialogue and unity, according to Vatican analysts.

Previous popes named Leo

• Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903) wrote the landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum on workers’ rights.
• Pope Leo I (440–461) is remembered for his diplomacy with Attila the Hun.
• Choosing Leo breaks a 147-year gap since the last pope of that name.

Does pope Leo believe in LGBTQ?

Pope Leo’s record on LGBTQ issues

• As a cardinal, Prevost made no definitive public statements on LGBTQ rights, but he emphasized pastoral care while upholding traditional Church teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman (NPR).
• He is expected to maintain a moderate conservative approach, continuing the line of Pope Francis — who supported civil unions for same-sex couples but did not change doctrine.

Statements from his time as bishop

• In Peru, he focused on poverty and education, avoiding culture-war debates (BBC News).
• Sources close to the Vatican suggest he will prioritize unity over confrontation on social issues.

What nationality is pope Leo?

American roots

• Leo XIV was born in Chicago, Illinois, making him the first U.S.-born pope (USCCB).
• His ancestry is French, Italian, and Spanish.

Multicultural heritage

• He spent 25 years in Peru and holds dual U.S.–Peruvian citizenship (Britannica).
• He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, with working knowledge of Portuguese and French.
• BBC describes him as “as much a cardinal from Latin America” because of his deep ties there (BBC News).

Why do some Catholics dislike Pope Leo?

Conservative vs. liberal factions

• Conservative Catholics worry about his moderate stance on liturgy — he has not reversed Pope Francis’s restrictions on the Latin Mass (NPR).
• Progressives criticize his lack of clarity on women’s roles and LGBTQ inclusion.
• His election was widely seen as a compromise after a polarizing conclave (AP News).

Criticism from traditionalists

• Some ultra-traditionalist groups reject a pope who is not Italian, citing the 500-year tradition of Italian popes before Francis.
• Others question his Augustinian spirituality, preferring the more rigorous Thomistic approach.

Timeline: Key events in Pope Leo XIV’s first days

• May 8, 2025: Conclave elects Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on the fourth ballot (CNBC).
• May 9, 2025: First public audience and “Urbi et Orbi” message, emphasizing peace and missionary evangelization (AP News).
• May 10, 2025: Inauguration Mass (Papal Coronation) at St. Peter’s Square.

The pattern: the pace of his first week — from election to coronation in 48 hours — signaled a pope eager to begin his ministry quickly. The implication: Leo XIV intends to waste no time projecting his vision of a missionary Church.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Pope Leo XIV is the 267th pope (NPR).
• He is American, born in Chicago (Britannica).
• Elected on May 8, 2025 (Vatican News).
• He chose the name Leo in honor of Leo XIII and Leo the Great (Vatican News).
• He is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine (NPR).

What’s unclear

• His specific policies on LGBTQ issues.
• Future major appointments (e.g., Secretary of State).
• His stance on clerical celibacy and women’s roles.
• Whether he will visit the United States soon.

Quotes from the transition

“Peace be with all of you!”

— Pope Leo XIV, first words from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica (AP News)

“The conclave was swift and decisive — the cardinals knew what they wanted.”

— Vatican analyst, NPR (NPR)

“Leo XIV is the first American pope in history, but his heart is as much in Latin America as in the United States.”

— BBC correspondent (BBC News)

For American Catholics, the choice of a hometown pope is a historic point of pride. But with it comes the weight of expectation: Leo XIV must navigate a Church fractured by ideology and regional tensions. The consequence is clear: either he unites through his missionary vision, or the fractures deepen. For the Vatican, the next six months will reveal whether the “Leo” name is a promise or a premonition.

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