Christianity

Chicago-Born Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as Pope Leo XIV

MAY 8 2025·Updated MAY 9 2025

Story

Above: Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in the Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Image credit: Alberto Pizzoli/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

The Conclave elected Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, as the 267th Bishop of Rome on Thursday, making the 69-year-old the first-ever American leader of the Catholic Church.
Vatican News
In his first address to crowds in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, the newly elected pontiff called on Catholics to live as missionaries and to help him in building bridges and bringing peace to the world. He further thanked the late Pope Francis, who died on April 21.
FOX News
The New York Times
An Augustinian leader who spent many years as a missionary in Peru and served as prefect of the influential Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost was elevated to the rank of cardinal in September 2023, officially taking possession of his titular church in Rome in January 2024.
Vatican News
The College of Cardinals Report
Though seen as a potential compromise candidate, he was not among the top contenders expected to ascend to the papacy due to his relatively young age and his recent elevation to cardinal, as well as due to questions over his handling of clergy sexual abuses in Peru.
The College of Cardinals Report
New York Post
Reuters
His views are reportedly very close to Francis' regarding the environment, outreach to the poor and migrants, and allowing communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, but it's unclear how he stands on other key topics such as blessing same-sex couples and the Vatican-China secret accords.
The College of Cardinals Report
BBC News
The conclave that elected Prevost began on Wednesday, and the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel in the early evening of the second day of voting after at least four ballots. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis were also selected on second day of the conclave.
USA Today
Daily Mail

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Though the idea of an American pope once seemed far-fetched, Prevost has all it takes to be a great pontiff. He is a moderate and private figure who is versed in canon law and a polyglot, and who has both pastoral experience in the peripheries and expertise in central governance of the Catholic Church.

National Catholic Reporter

Narrative B

It's concerning that Prevost has ascended to the papacy, as there is plenty of evidence that he covered up for two priests accused of sexual abuse against minors between 2006 and 2010, when he was the bishop of the small Peruvian diocese of Chiclayo. He should have never been elected pope.