• Fresh updates on Pope Leo XIV
Even hours before the new Pope was announced, crowd has already gathered at St Peter’s Basilica, chanting. It was momentous if you watch the video, but then, there are other crucial things to know about the new Pope.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, United States of America, in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the first American to ever lead the Catholic church.
Prevost, 69, is the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter. Also, he is going to be the 14th Pope to adopt the name Leo.
The last Pope who chose Leo was Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci, who was Leo XIII. He reigned between 1878 and 1903, and was very active social person. He stood for the rights of workers, for fair working conditions, for fair play.
Its widely speculated that Prevost selected Leo because he shares almost same views as Leo XIII.
Pope Leo XIV background
The new Pope was born by Spanish and Franco-Italian parents in Chicago. He has two other brothers, Louis and John.
In 1982 he was ordained, having served as alter boy for years. Prevost left to Peru in 1985 and later took Peruvian nationality. Despite this, he constantly return to U.S. to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
For 10 years he taught at a seminary in Trujillo in north-western Peru, and had the reputation of working among the marginalised.
Perhaps, late Pope Francis had been preparing Prevost for the new role for the two shares a lot in common. In 2014 Pope Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
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He proceeded to become the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Latin America. With this Prevost sat at the head of the body in charge of selecting and supervising bishops. Consequently, he was well known among the cardinals.
He became archbishop in 2023, and Pope Francis made him cardinal few months later. Everything has come in quick succession – yesterday, 8 May 2025 Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope by the 133 cardinals.