The 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide have at last got a new pope after cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost on Thursday on the balcony above St Peter’s Square.
This has ushered in a new era for the church as Prevost becomes the first American to fill the position formerly led by late Pope Francis.
Here are eight facts about Cardinal Prevost, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
First, the new pope has served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023.
Secondly, he was born born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, and was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982.
Third, in 1998, Prevost was elected provincial of the Augustinian Province of Chicago and returned to the United States to assume that position on March 8, 1999.
Fourth, in 2001, Prevost was elected to a six-year term as Prior General of the Augustinians. Between 2013 and 2014, he was the director of formation in the Convent of St. Augustine in Chicago and provincial vicar of the province of Our Mother of Good Counsel.
More so, he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo and titular bishop of Sufar in November, 2014.
Sixth, he was elevated prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops with the title archbishop-bishop emeritus of Chiclayo in January, 2023.
At the September 30 consistory, he was honoured as the cardinal-deacon of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani Church in Rome by late Pope Francis.
Seventh, Prevost was further elevated to cardinal-bishop on February 6, 2025, and his place of assignment was the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano in the Province of Rome.
Also, Pope Francis elevated him as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a key position within the Roman Curia. He was to be part of those evaluating and recommending candidates for the episcopate around the globe.
