Note: VIDEO at the end of the article
On 8 May, the world turned its eyes to the Vatican, where white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney announced the election of a new pope—Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Just over a day after the papal conclave began, the College of Cardinals reached a decision, ushering in a new era with the selection of the first-ever American pope. He will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV brings a reputation for humility and progressive thinking to the role. Despite only becoming a cardinal in 2023, he has long been known among clergy as a man of deep compassion and quiet resolve. His early years in the Church included missionary work in Peru, and he was ordained at just 27 years old.
In his first mass as pope, held on the morning of 9 May, Leo XIV showcased not only his leadership but also his singing voice—marking a memorable start to his papacy.
Pope Leo’s views suggest continuity with those of the late Pope Francis. He has spoken strongly in support of migrants and the impoverished, and has not shied away from political critique. He once retweeted a post condemning U.S. immigration policies under Donald Trump, stating:
“There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages.”
A longtime acquaintance, Jesus Leon Angeles, who has known Leo XIV for eight years, described him as deeply down-to-earth and always ready to lend a hand.
Leo XIV’s choice of name carries symbolic weight. Although popes are not required to adopt a new name upon election, it is a centuries-old tradition, with 129 of 267 past popes doing so. “Leo” has been selected by 13 previous popes, making it the fifth most common papal name. The last was Leo XIII, known for championing Catholic social teaching between 1878 and 1903.
Observers suggest that Leo XIV’s name may signal a commitment to strong, principled leadership in uncertain times—a nod to Pope Leo XIII’s legacy of doctrinal clarity and social justice advocacy.
Upon his election, Leo XIV stated in a past interview, “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom,” a sentiment that reflects his pastoral approach and desire to serve rather than rule.
With his appointment, the Catholic Church enters a new chapter—guided by an American pope whose voice, both literal and ideological, is already making waves.
