May 8, 2025 | BBC News Mundo
Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the papal name Leo XIV. He is the first pope to hold both U.S. and Peruvian citizenship.
White smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday afternoon, signaling the conclusion of the papal conclave. About an hour later, Cardinal Dominique Mamberti officially announced the election of Pope Leo XIV to the public. Over 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting from the Risen Christ. I offer you a message of peace—for your families, for each of you, wherever you are. Peace be with you,” he said in Italian. Switching to Spanish, he thanked his former diocese in Peru: “A faithful people have shared their faith and given so much.”
Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. “Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to reach God and His love. Help us—and help one another—to build bridges,” he proclaimed. His words, particularly those about peace and Francis, were warmly applauded by the crowd.
A Life Between Peru, the U.S., and the Vatican
Born in Chicago in 1955, Robert Prevost became a Peruvian citizen in 2015 after decades of religious service in the country. He served as bishop of Chiclayo until 2023 and held various roles in Trujillo, including parish priest, seminary professor, ecclesiastical judge, and director of the Augustinian seminary for ten years.
He was also second vice president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference and acted as apostolic administrator of Callao from 2020 to 2021.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential offices in the Roman Curia responsible for episcopal appointments worldwide. That same year, he was made a cardinal and given the Roman titular church of Santa Monica. In February 2025, he was elevated to Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, a prestigious title reserved for senior members of the College of Cardinals. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
With deep roots in Peru and a reputation for supporting migrants and pastoral formation, Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate with a strong message of unity, peace, and continuity with Pope Francis’ legacy.