Pope Leo XIV Makes Historical past as First American Chief of the Catholic Church – Church

For the primary time in its historical past, the Catholic Church will be led by an American-born Pope. The School of Cardinals elected on Thursday because the Church’s new chief 69-year-old American Robert Prevost, who took the identify of Pope Leo XIV and instructed the cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Sq. he’s “all the time searching for peace and justice, searching for to work with women and men who’re trustworthy to Jesus Christ with out worry to proclaim the gospel.”

Leo was elected on the fourth poll and is taken into account a consensus candidate. 

“God loves us. God loves everybody,” he mentioned via a translator. “Evil won’t prevail. We’re all within the fingers of God. Subsequently, with out worry, united hand in hand with God and amongst ourselves, allow us to go ahead. We’re the disciples of Christ. Christ goes earlier than us. The world wants His gentle.”

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Leo was born in Chicago in 1955 and earned a level in arithmetic at Villanova College in Pennsylvania earlier than becoming a member of the Order of St. Augustine after which receiving his grasp of divinity diploma from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He earned a doctorate in canon legislation from the Pontifical College of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. 

He served as a missionary in Peru and finally was named bishop of Chiclayo. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and made him a cardinal, entrusting him with probably the most influential positions within the Vatican.

He succeeds Pope Francis, who died April 21. 

Though a consensus candidate, Pope Leo XIV has voiced help for the Church’s teachings on hot-button social points. In 2012, for instance, he lamented that common tradition has fostered “sympathy for beliefs and practices which might be at odds with the gospel,” in accordance with The New York Occasions. He pointed to the “gay way of life” and “different households comprised of same-sex companions and their adopted youngsters” as examples. In Peru, he opposed a proposal to show youngsters about transgenderism, saying, “The promotion of gender ideology is complicated, as a result of it seeks to create genders that do not exist.”

On the difficulty of the poor, consultants say Leo is near Francis’ place. Final 12 months, Leo mentioned church leaders are “known as authentically to be humble, to be near the folks he serves, to stroll with them, to endure with them.” 

The U.S. group College students for Life applauded Leo’s election, saying he “has persistently opposed abortion, calling it ‘a type of homicide’ and affirming the Church’s educating that Life begins at conception.” 

BREAKING! HABEMUS PAPAM! Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen because the 267th Roman Pontiff taking the identify Pope Leo XIV. That is his first look to town of Rome and the World from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.#catholicchurch #newpope #habemuspapam #popeleoxiv pic.twitter.com/kwVseMES7C

— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) Could 8, 2025

Let’s Focus on Pope Leo XIV! 

Pope Leo XIV is thought for his conservative theological stance paired with a robust voice on ethical readability in public life. Whereas some see this as a hopeful return to custom, others are questioning how his American roots and worldview might influence the Church’s world priorities. What does this election imply for the Catholic Church’s course? Do you assume Pope Leo XIV’s nationality will affect his management—or is the Church already larger than borders? Need to share your ideas? Crosswalk Boards is a protected house group the place you may touch upon present occasions and different faith-based sizzling matters –> Share your ideas at present!

Initially revealed Could 08, 2025.