On May 8, 2025, Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope 267, succeeding Pope Francis. He chose the papel name “Leo XIV.”
According to The New York Times, “From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope delivered his first public remarks since taking over as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He urged the world to seek peace and remember those who suffer.”
His contenders has been Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Peter Turkson, Cardinal Péter Erdő, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi,Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Cardinal Mykola Bychok.
So who is the new Pope?
Leo is the first American Pope, born in Chicago. He served in Peru for two decades “where he became a bishop and a naturalized citizen, then rose to lead his international religious order. Leading up to the death of his predecessor, Cardinal Prevost held one of the most influential Vatican posts, running the office that selects and manages bishops globally.”
“I think it would be interesting to see an American Pope,” comments Madisen Dullen, ’25. “I wonder if he listens to country music.”
Though born a citizen of America, Leo has spent much of his life outside the United States. He was “ordained in 1982 at 27, he received a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.”
He has spent time traveling around the world and can speak English, Spanish, and Italian.
Leo is a member of the Order of St. Augustine and shares a lot of Francis’ values. Leo spends time working for the environment, poor, migrants, and “meeting people where they are.”
Times has described Leo as “reserved and discreet” as he has stylistic differences from Francis.
His stance on the LGBTQ+ community isn’t clear, though some people predict he is more traditional than Francis. There is updated comments on his viewpoint, but in 2012 he went on record saying, “Western news media and popular culture fostered ‘sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel,'” and “the ‘homosexual lifestyle’ and ‘alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.'”
Leo has critiqued the Trump administration by pushing “back forcefully against the militant vision of Christian power that the Trump administration has elevated.” He has also spoken out against the administration’s viewpoints on immigration. According to NPR, he has also “posted and reposted content critical of …Vice President JD Vance’s views on religion.”
During 2019 and 2020 he was pro-vaccination and supported the Black Lives Matter protests.
Victoria Campbell, ’25, had previously commented in support of Luis Antonio Tagle, but with the new election she has expressed, “I don’t know much about the knew guy, but he did call for a ceasefire in Gaza which is always a good thing.”
Only time will tell what steps Pope Leo XIV takes with the church.