Sunday, May 11, 2025

Leo XIV Elected As First American Pope

On the second day of the conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first US-born Pontiff on Thursday, 8 May 2025, to lead 1.4 billion Roman Catholics and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. He greeted his new followers by saying, “Peace be with you.” Leo stepped into his role as the 267th pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening, addressing thousands of cheering Catholics calling for peace and paying tribute to the late Pope Francis.

Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago, is a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and holds dual citizenship in the US and Peru, where he served as a bishop. He most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on Pope Francis’ reforms.

The Pope’s election prompted an outpouring of congratulations from world leaders, who expressed eagerness to work with the Pontiff on global issues. US President Donald Trump called the historic selection a great honor for the country, the USA.

While Pope Leo XIV made global headlines for becoming the first American Pope, he is also a citizen of Peru, a country where he spent a significant part of his career and where his election was celebrated as the elevation of one of their own.

 


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