American Missionary Robert Prevost Elected As Pope Leo XIV, First-ever American Pontiff
Fresh Take:
Meet Robert Prevost, the fresh face of the Catholic Church - and the first American pope. Born in 1955 in the bustling city of Chicago, Prevost embarked on an extraordinary journey that led him to the Vatican's highest seat.
Previously working as a missionary in Peru, this modest cardinal was elevated to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV in 2025. Despite his US origins, Prevost kept his distance from geopolitical twists, being also a Peruvian citizen, earning him the nickname "the least American of the Americans" by Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
Before making history as pope, Prevost served as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations, and his nationality wasn't much of a hindrance. Nonetheless, one strike against him was his American heritage. There's a long-standing taboo against a US pope due to the significant influence the United States already wields in the secular world.
As a seasoned leader, Prevost has been twice elected as top dog of the Augustinian religious order, an order with a unique focus on community and equality - values he embodied throughout his career. With advanced degrees in mathematics, divinity, and canon law, he made his mark in both academia and pastoral work.
Pope Francis took note of Prevost's potential early on, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014. Since then, he acquired Peruvian citizenship and stayed in his post as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo until he was called to Rome in 2023.
Retaining a low public profile, Prevost was well-regarded among church leaders despite his cool demeanor and disinterest in seeking the limelight. However, he presided over one groundbreaking reform under Francis, adding three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope.
Lifelong friend Rev. Mark Francis shared that Prevost was a firm supporter of Pope Francis and his commitment to social justice issues. The Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, communications director for Prevost's old diocese, remembered Prevost as maintaining a positive outlook, even through hardships.
(Cardinal Robert Prevost: From Unassuming Catholic Leader to History Maker)
*(Historical milestone: The First American Pope)
(Article enriched with insights from Express.co.uk)
- As a deliberate move to foster inclusivity and uphold the values of community and equality, the first American pope, Robert Prevost, who was elected as Pope Leo XIV in 2025, added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope.
- Despite his low public profile and disinterest in seeking the limelight, the policy-and-legislation and general news landscape were significantly impacted by the historical milestone in 2025, marking the election of a Peruvian-American, Cardinal Robert Prevost, as the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV.
- Post his US missionary work in Peru and prior to his election as pope, the influential Robert Prevost served as the head of the office that vets bishop nominations, where his Peruvian nationality wasn't a hindrance, despite the long-standing taboo against a US pope due to the significant influence the United States already wields in the secular world.
- Sports proceeded with usual excitement in 2025, but a prevailing political focus surrounded the elevation of Peruvian-American, Robert Prevost, as the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV – a choice that was not without controversy due to his US origins, especially given the power dynamics and policy implications that a US pope might bring.
