The Third Smoke Is White: Who Is Pope Leo XIV, the American Prevost?

A little more than twenty-four hours after the opening of the Conclave, American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected to the papal throne.

May 9, 2025 - 13:04

The Third Smoke Is White: Who Is Pope Leo XIV, the American Prevost?

The first to be born in the United States, the first to belong to the Order of Augustinians, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected Pontiff during the fourth vote of the Conclave opened after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Leo XIV was a leading figure in the new phase of reform and internationalization of the Roman Curia promoted by Bergoglio, who met him for the first time during the apostolic visit to Chile and Peru, in 2018.

Leo XIV served in Peru for over twenty years after graduating in Mathematical Sciences and Philosophy from Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ordained a priest at just 27 years of age, he obtained a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. During his long stay in the South American country, he served as missionary, parish priest, teacher and finally bishop, contributing significantly to the ecclesial life and spiritual formation of local communities.

Appointed in 2014 apostolic administrator of the diocese of Chiclayo, a city on the northwestern coast of Peru and in the same year titular bishop of Sufar, he was Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. The year in which he was called to the Vatican by Pope Francis as the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and to preside over the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In September of the same year he was created cardinal and since 2025 he has been cardinal bishop with the titulary of Albano.

“Peace be with you all!” These were the first words spoken by Pope Leo XIV. “Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God,” he declared from the Loggia of Blessings in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

“I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, all people, wherever they may be, every people and every land marked by war,” he continued. “Peace be with you! This is the peace of Christ: a disarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, who loves us all, unconditionally.”

Pope Leo XIV then wanted to remember his predecessor: “We still keep in our hearts that weak but ever courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome,” he said. “The Pope who blessed Rome and offered his blessing to the entire world, that Easter morning. Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all and evil will not prevail! We are all in God's hands. Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and with each other, let us move forward."

Concluding his first message, Pope Leo XIV said, a"We are disciples of Christ. Christ precedes us. The world needs his light, humanity needs him as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Let us also help each other to build bridges, with dialogue, with encounter, uniting all of us to be one people, always in peace."