For the second successive conclave, the Catholic Church has made an historic choice in its election of a new pope. Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, was elected as the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church on Thursday, following a two-day conclave. He took the name Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV makes history as both the first American-born and North American-born pope, succeeding the Argentinian-born Pope Francis who, upon election in 2013, became the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere and first Latin American pontiff. He was also the first Jesuit pope.

The new pope, an Augustinian, holds both American and Peruvian citizenship owing to his decades of missionary work in the latter nation – including serving as the bishop of Chiclayo. Pope Francis made his successor a cardinal in 2023, the same year he appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops – the office that oversees the selection of bishops in the Catholic Church. 

Though considered a solid contender for the papacy, many Vatican observers felt that Prevost had two strikes against him: his age and his nationality. 

On the issue of his age, some believed that the 69-year-old may be too young to be elected. In the last 300 years, the Catholic Church has elected 22 popes (before Leo XIV). Of those 22, only seven died before the age of 80. A younger pope, in theory, will enjoy a much longer papacy, which could hurt their support among Cardinals who might also long to serve as pope, or whose views on how to run the church don’t align with their own. 

On the issue of his nationality, the sticking point came from what The Guardian described as “the Vatican’s longstanding opposition to the idea of a pope from the U.S. because of the country’s superpower status and secular global influence.”

Evidently, in the end, neither of those issues prevented the Chicago native’s ascension to the Throne of St. Peter.

What to Expect from Pope Leo XIV

After his papal election, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica and delivered a brief message to the throngs of gathered faithful in the square below, as well as those watching around the world. He spoke in English, Spanish and Italian and offered a greeting of peace before continuing, as The Washington Post noted, the blessing that Pope Francis offered a day before his passing.

“Allow me to continue that same blessing: God loves everyone; evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. So without fear, united hand and hand with God and among ourselves, we go forward.”

The Post wrote that Pope Leo added: “We can be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, that is always open to receive everyone — just like in this square, to welcome everyone, in charity, dialogue and love.”

As for how Pope Leo’s papacy might mirror, or differ from, his predecessor – who was largely seen as a progressive pope – the jury is still out. 

CBS News wrote that “Overall, he’s considered a centrist, but on many social issues he’s seen as progressive, embracing marginalized groups like Francis, who championed migrants and the poor. But Prevost opposes ordaining women as deacons, for instance, so he’s seen as conservative on church doctrine.”

The New York Times added that he “is viewed as a churchman who transcends borders.” It went on to say that “Often described as reserved and discreet, he would depart stylistically from Francis as pope. Supporters believe he will most likely continue the consultative process started by Francis to invite lay people to meet with bishops.” The publication also noted that “It is unclear whether he will be as open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics as Francis” and that, “like many other cardinals, has drawn criticism over his dealings with priests accused of sexual abuse.”  

Meanwhile, on social media, many progressives are cheering tweets sent by then-Cardinal Prevost earlier this year, criticizing the views of U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance on immigration and deportation. Others also pointed to a tweet in which he appeared to offer prayers for the family of George Floyd, the African-American man whose murder in Minnesota by a white police officer in 2020 became the catalyst for anti-racism protests across the U.S. and a major focus of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Dignitaries Offer Congratulations

Dignitaries and leaders from around the world took to social media on Thursday to offer congratulations to the new pope.

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