Robert Prevost has been elected as the new pope of the Catholic Church, becoming the first American to attain this esteemed position.
The 69-year-old chose the name of Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced to the huge gathering at St. Peter’s Square.
He was born in Chicago in 1955.
Prevost took the role of a prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America from 2023.
He previously served as Archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru From 2015 to 2023 and was the prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013.
In 2015, Prevost obtained Peruvian citizenship through naturalization.
From 1985 to 1998, Prevost served in various positions while in Peru. This includes being a parish pastor, diocese official, seminary tutor, and administrator.
He was appointed as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops by Pope Francis in 2023. His new role made him a potential papal candidate
