There’s a new leader in the Catholic Church, and history has been made!
Yesterday at the Vatican, crowds gathered in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. As soon as they saw movement on the balcony, they began to cheer, “Viva il Papa!” which means “Long live the Pope!”
Moments later, it was announced that Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old cardinal originally from Chicago, would become Pope Leo XIV. He will be the 267th pope in history.
A Pope from Two Worlds
Even though he was born in Chicago, USA, Pope Leo XIV has deep roots in Latin America. In 1985, just three years after becoming a priest, he moved to Peru to join an Augustinian mission. He lived and worked there for many years, especially in Trujillo, a city in northwestern Peru.
He spent a decade serving as a local parish priest and teaching at a seminary, where he trained future priests. Over time, he became known and loved for his work with people who were poor, struggling, or often ignored by society.
Because of his long service and strong connection to the country, he later became a Peruvian citizen. Many people see him as a bridge between the U.S. and Latin America. They also see him as someone who understands the culture, challenges, and faith of both regions.
Another unique part of Pope Leo XIV’s background is that he is the first Pope from the Augustinian Order. This is a group of priests who follow the teachings of St. Augustine, one of the early leaders of the Christian Church.
Augustinians believe in community life, sharing what they have, and helping people in need. They also focus on education and serving others with humility and love. Pope Leo XIV joined the Augustinian Order as a young man and continued to live by its values throughout his life.
His Augustinian background has shaped his leadership style, which focuses on simplicity, compassion, and reaching out to those who are often forgotten.
Following in Francis’ Footsteps
In his first words as Pope Leo XIV, he thanked the last pope, Francis, and said he hoped to continue his work. Like Pope Francis, Leo XIV cares deeply about people who are poor, immigrants, and protecting the environment.
He also believes the Church should reach out to people, not hide away. “A Church that brings light to a world marked by despair” that’s how the Vatican described the kind of leadership cardinals were hoping for.
Not Afraid to Speak Up
Even before becoming Pope, Leo XIV showed he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed was right especially when it came to treating all people with dignity and compassion. As a cardinal, he openly criticized harmful political ideas that he felt went against Christian teachings.
For example, when U.S. Vice President JD Vance gave a television interview suggesting that Americans should care more about their own families and citizens than about migrants or people from other countries, Cardinal Prevost didn’t stay silent.
Instead, he shared a message on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reposting a headline from the National Catholic Reporter that read: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
The article argued that Christian love doesn’t come with borders, rankings, or exceptions. By sharing it, Prevost made it clear that he believed all people deserve love and compassion, no matter where they come from or what their situation is.
This response showed that he was willing to challenge political leaders, even the ones from his own country when their words clash with the values of kindness, equality, and justice that he believes the Church must stand for.
Hope for the Future
Even though the Catholic Church has faced tough challenges like dealing with past cases of abuse, Pope Leo XIV brings hope for a better future.
Many people believe he will continue Pope Francis’ efforts to make the Church more open, caring, and focused on helping those in need.
This is a historic moment for the Church and for the world. With his unique background and strong sense of justice, Pope Leo XIV might just be the kind of leader the world needs right now.
Fun Fact: “Leo” is a name that means “lion.” The last Pope with that name ruled more than 120 years ago!
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