Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
Prevost, 69, before taking over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, chose Leo XIV for his papal name.
The new Pope’s first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, were “Peace be with you all.
“Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts to reach your families to all people everywhere to all the earth: peace be with you.”
He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.
Leo XIV also addressed in Spanish the people of Chiclayo, which sits just 9 miles (14 km) away from Peru’s northern Pacific coast and is among the country’s most populous cities.
“Greetings… to all of you, and in particular, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith,” he said.
About Leo XIV
The new pope was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community of “mendicant” friars dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.
The order’s requirements and ethos are traced to the fifth century St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity.
The order works in about 50 countries, according to its website, promoting a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others.
Pope Francis brought Prevost, a Chicago native, to the Vatican in 2023 to lead the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.
He kept a low public profile in Rome, but was well known to the men who count.
Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope.
In early 2025, Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals.
Back in Prevost’s old diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, the Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil said Prevost would have breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers each day.
“No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,” Purisaca said in an email.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts to reach your families to all people everywhere to all the earth: peace be with you.
Congratulations messages
Congratulatory messages poured in worldwide and across race and religion. Among them:
- U.S. President Donald Trump posted his reaction on his Truth social media platform. “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
- Former U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, said in a statement, “This an historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world… We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God’s love.”
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Catholic, issued a statement expressing his “heartfelt congratulations” and prayed, “May the Holy Spirit impart wisdom, strength, and grace as he shepherds the Church. The United States looks forward to deepening our enduring relationship with the Holy See with the first American pontiff.”
- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he looks forward “to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See – nurtured most recently by Pope Francis – to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and sustainable world for all… The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of faithful around the world, and it comes at a time of great global challenges. Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion.”
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, a practicing Catholic, in a post on social media called the pope’s election a “historic day for Catholics and all who look to the Vatican for guidance… At a time of global challenges, may his pontificate carry forward a mission of solidarity, compassion, and dignity for all.”
- Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his “cordial congratulations” to the new pope in a message published on the Kremlin’s website, wishing him “success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being… I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us.”
- Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez cheered the election of Pope Leo XIV, saying in a post on X: “May your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”
- Mozambique President Daniel Chapo said it was “with joy and jubilation that the people and government of the Republic of Mozambique received the happy news of his election.”
- Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in a Facebook post, “I wish a Pontificate filled with achievements and blessings, under the sign of interreligious dialogue, peace and human brotherhood.”
- Spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who had collaborated late Pope Francis on global challenges including climate change, migration and the impact of technological change, said: “I greet the new Pope, the new Bishop of Rome, with great brotherly love in Christ and great expectations… I hope that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be a dear brother and collaborator … for unity of the whole Christian family and for the benefit of the whole of humankind.”
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni already outlined the new Pope’s activities in the days ahead, saying:
And he plans to hold an audience with the media on Monday in the Vatican auditorium
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass on Friday morning at 11 a.m. with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.
He plans to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica (Updates from Associated Press)
