Prevost elected first US pope, becomes Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is a Chicago native who spent decades living in Peru

Pope Leo XIV introduces himself to the world
Given their shared compassion for immigrants and the poor, Leo embodies the spirit of a 'second Pope Francis'
(Image credit: Tiziana Fabi / AFP via Getty Images)

What happened

The College of Cardinals Thursday elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native, as the Catholic Church's 267th pope. Prevost, 69, took the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first pope from the U.S. — though he spent decades as a missionary, parish priest and bishop in Peru — and the first from the Augustinian religious order. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was the first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.