American Cardinal Robert Prevost was recently elected as the new pope to succeed Pope Francis. He becomes the first American to head the Catholic Church. But who is this American who has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV?
Early Life and Education
Born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, making him the first Augustinian pope. He holds dual citizenship with the United States and Peru, having carried out extensive missionary work in Latin America, serving as the Archbishop of Chiclayo. The new pope is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian.
He studied at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago and received his Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1987. The new pope also holds a degree in Mathematics from Villanova University.
Clergy Career
Cardinal Robert Prevost was ordained in 1982 at the age of 27 and he has dedicated nearly a decade to missionary work in Trujillo, Peru. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, as well as being in charge of the vatican office that oversees the appointment of Bishops all over the world.
He was elevated to the position of a Cardinal in 2024 before his election as pope after four ballots at the recently concluded conclave.
Advocate For Social Justice
The new pope is a popular advocate for social justice and his choice for the ‘Leo’ as his papal name proves that, the name Leo XIV pays homage to Pope Leo XIII, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights and social justice during the Industrial Revolution.
He has expressed concerns over cultural values conflicting with gospel teachings and has been an advocate for social justice and immigration rights.
Trump Critique
Pope Leo XIV has publicly opposed Trump’s hardline immigration measures, including the refugee ban and family separation policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. He has expressed support for initiatives like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and broader immigration justice efforts. To buttress this, His social media activity included reposts criticizing these policies and Vice President J.D. Vance’s theological justifications for them.
Allegations of External Control
Conspiracy theorists have alluded to the fact the appointment of an American Pope shortly after US president Donald Trump posted an image of himself in a priestly robe may not be ordinary.
They argue the appointment of an American pope at this point in time may be a part of America’s expansionist agenda but going by the visible friction between the new pope and the US president, the allegations look to be well wide off the mark.
When is Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration?
The new pope would be inaugurated at St. Peter’s Square, potentially by next Wednesday with his first homily expected to follow.
