What a surprise it was to me to hear that the new Pope was from the United States. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. He is the 267th Bishop of Rome. He is also the first Augustinian Pope (meaning he was a religious priest like Pope Francis was a Jesuit priest, also religious).
He was born in Chicago, his father is of French and Italian descent, and his mother of Spanish descent. He spent many years as a missionary in Peru and was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis from 2015-2023. He was called to Rome by Pope Francis in 2023, who then made him a Cardinal in the Consistory on September 30, 2024.
I must admit I have never heard his name until the conclave. Now reading his bio I can see how his missionary years amongst the poor of Peru caught Pope Francis’ attention. He will no doubt follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, defending the most vulnerable and the migrants. And I am impressed by his fluency in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and French. Speaking different languages is a must in today’s world; it will be a tremendous asset that will help Pope Leo to communicate Jesus’ message to the world. I am very excited about Pope Leo and I am confident that the Holy Spirit through the Cardinals chose the right man to lead our Church at this time. Let us thank God for our new Holy Father and support him with our prayers.
~ Fr. Marian