The new Pope has chosen the name Leo XIV

The new Pope has chosen the name Leo XIV

The conclave in the Vatican has ended, resulting in the election of 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Prevost from the United States as the new Pope. He chose the name Leo XIV in honor of the historical legacy of one of the most influential figures in the Catholic Church.

The new pontiff was born in Chicago and spent most of his spiritual career as a missionary in Peru. Pope Francis, Leo XIV’s predecessor, appointed Prevost as a cardinal in 2023 and invited him to Rome to head the office responsible for the appointment of bishops worldwide. Prevost is known for his support of Francis’s course on issues of social justice.

The election of the first American in history to the Holy See has already caused an international stir. Notably, former U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Leo XIV, stating:
"It is a great honor for me to realize that he has become the first American Pope. I look forward to meeting with Pope Leo XIV."