Pope Leo XIV

On May 8, 2025, after the fourth ballot of the conclave, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel—an ancient signal that the Catholic Church had chosen a new leader. In a moment both steeped in tradition and charged with historic significance, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy in the Church’s 2,000-year history.

But Pope Leo XIV is a historic figure for more than just his nationality. He is the first pope to hold dual citizenship—American and Peruvian—and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. Known as a centrist with progressive leanings, he has long been an advocate for social justice, pastoral inclusivity, and compassionate outreach.

Observers expect his pontificate to continue the modernization of Church doctrine, with a strong emphasis on defending the marginalized: migrants, prisoners, and the poor. He is also poised to advance global reforms focused on inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and addressing the widening gap of social inequality worldwide.