Who is Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope?

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old born in Chicago, has made history as the first American pope and the first member of the Augustinian Order to ascend to the papacy.

Elected by the College of Cardinals following the death of Pope Francis, he has taken the name Leo XIV, signaling a continuation of the Church's commitment to social justice and pastoral outreach.

Born to a multicultural family of French, Italian, and Spanish heritage, Pope Leo XIV’s unique background blends North American roots with deep Latin American experience.

Missionary heart, Latin American soul

Although American by birth, Leo XIV spent over two decades in Peru, where he became a naturalized citizen and worked closely with marginalized communities.

He led the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo and served as a local bishop, gaining a reputation for humility, bridge-building, and grassroots leadership.

His experience on the ground shaped his emphasis on a “missionary church” and a Vatican more attuned to the needs of the global south.

Vatican insider and global administrator

Prior to his election, Leo XIV held one of the Vatican’s most powerful posts: Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

In that role, he oversaw the selection and management of bishops worldwide, earning respect across ideological lines for his administrative skill and pastoral discernment.

He became a cardinal in 2023, and was seen as a trusted advisor to Pope Francis, whom he praised in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s.

Progressive views on migration and environment

Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue many of Francis’s progressive positions.

He has vocally supported migrant rights, denounced harsh immigration policies, and promoted environmental action — including Vatican moves to install solar panels and use electric vehicles.

In 2025, he reposted a critical article on US deportation policies, writing: “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?”

Cautious ambiguity on inclusion

While Leo XIV has supported the Vatican’s cautious allowance of blessings for same-sex couples, he has avoided explicitly progressive language.

A 2012 address referenced concern over cultural shifts supporting “homosexual lifestyles” — though he has remained silent on LGBTQ+ topics in recent years, leaving observers unsure of how his papacy will develop in this area.

Advocate for Women in Church Leadership

Leo XIV has publicly supported Pope Francis’s inclusion of women in Vatican decision-making.

In 2023, he stated that women’s perspectives were a “significant enrichment” to the process of choosing bishops and expressed openness to their broader involvement in Church governance.

Symbolic Name Choice: Leo XIV

By choosing the name Leo, the new pope invokes the legacy of Leo XIII — the “Pope of the Workers” known for championing fair labor, social rights, and Church modernization during the upheaval of the Industrial Age.

This may signal Leo XIV’s intent to continue that legacy in today’s world of inequality and climate crisis.

Looking Ahead: A Pontificate of Continuity and Quiet Reform?

While Pope Leo XIV is more reserved in style than his predecessor, early signals suggest he may embrace the spirit of reform, compassion, and inclusion that defined Francis’s era — albeit with a quieter, more administrative approach.

The world now watches how this historic American pope will lead 1.3 billion Catholics through the challenges of a complex modern age.