Paul Kirby
European Digital Editor
EPA
Even before his name was announced on the balcony of St. Peter’s Cathedral, the crowd below recited “Viva Il Dad” – Long the Pope.
Robert Prevast, 69, is a 267 resident of the St. Peter throne, known as Leo XIV.
He was the first American to play the role of Pope, but he spent many years as a missionary in Peru, and is considered a Latin American cardinal before becoming bishop there.
Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Prevost served as altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. He moved to Peru three years later, but he regularly returned to the United States, becoming the former in his pastor and his hometown city.
He is a Peruvian national and is lovingly remembered as someone who worked with marginalized communities and helped build the bridge.
He spent ten years as a local parish pastor and at the seminary in Trujillo in northwestern Peru.
In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV spoke lovingly about his predecessor, Francis.
“We still hear the weak but brave voice of Pope Francis who blessed us,” he said.
“Let’s unite, shake hands with God and move forward together,” he told the crowd with cheers.
He also spoke of his role in Augustine’s order. He was 30 years old when he moved to Peru as part of Augustine’s mission.
Francis made him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru a year after becoming Pope.
Getty Images
Prevost Cardinal shares a quiet moment with Pope Francis (R) in February 2025
He is well known to Cardinal for his famous role as governor of DiCastelly for the bishop of Latin America.
He became archbishop at the same time in January 2023, and within a few months Francis made him a cardinal.
With 80% of the Cards who participated in the Conclave been appointed to Francis, it is not so surprising that someone like Prevost was selected, even if someone like Prevost was recently appointed.
From white smoke to balcony speeches, look at Pope Leo XIV, revealed as the new Pope
What is Pope Leo’s view?
He will be seen as a supporter of the continuity of Francis’ reforms in the Catholic Church.
Prevost is believed to share Francis’ views on immigrants, the poor and the environment.
His former roommate, Rev. John Lidon, described the BBC Prevost as “outgoing”, “towards the Earth” and “very interested in the poor.”
Prevost is an American and fully aware of the division within the Catholic Church, but his Latin American background represents the post-continuity of the Pope from Argentina.
The Vatican described him as the second pope from the Americas after Pope Francis and the first Pope Augustine.
While in Peru, he had not escaped the sexual abuse scandal that clouded the church, but his parish enthusiastically denied that he was involved in an attempt to cover up.
Before Conclave, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a gathering of cardiac colleges before Conclave highlighted the Pope’s need to “not approach itself, but know how to go outside and bring light to the world described in Essea.”
