Leo XIV, a socially conscious Pope who is very close to the disadvantaged
The conclave in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican in Rome ended on Thursday with the election of American Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope.
Robert F. Prevost, 69, becomes Pope Leo XIV, the 267th in history, after obtaining a sufficient majority in the votes cast by the 133 cardinals who were summoned to the conclave.
On Thursday afternoon, white smoke rose from the chimney of St. Peter's Basilica, signalling that the new Pope had been elected. During the sessions on Wednesday and Thursday morning, the necessary two-thirds majority of the cardinals convened was not reached, and black smoke rose, indicating that no consensus had been reached.
On Thursday afternoon, the final agreement was finally reached and the white smoke appeared, and Robert F. Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. He is the first Pope from the United States, which is a historic fact to bear in mind.
There were struggles between progressive and conservative factions within the Catholic Church, but in the end, the more open-minded views prevailed, as the figure of US Cardinal Robert F. Prevost emerged, who enjoyed significant consensus because the election was relatively quick. Conclaves are usually long and last several days, but in this case, it only took a couple of days to select Robert F. Prevost. As in the case of the two previous Supreme Pontiffs, Francis I and Benedict XVI, the election took place on the second day, although this is not usual because the process usually takes longer, based on past experience.
Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States. He is an ecclesiastical representative of Spanish descent with a clear missionary vocation. He spent many years on ecclesiastical missions in Peru, which explains his extensive knowledge of the Hispanic and Latin American world.
Robert F. Prevost chose the name Leo XIV, following in the footsteps of Leo XIII, who was considered a social Pope very close to the working class in the early 19th century. Leo XIII renewed the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, was very concerned about the most disadvantaged classes and always stood by the working class, at a difficult time for the Catholic Church following the loss of the Papal States and the social upheaval that followed.
The election of Robert F. Prevost as the new Pope follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis I, who chose the American as a cardinal. Prevost is very close to the social and progressive legacy of the previous Argentine Pope in this case. Thus, the first Augustinian Pope in history will follow the line of Pope Francis I: synodality, charity and peace. A line of continuity with the late Pope Francis I, but with his own stamp marked by the Order of Saint Augustine.
The progressive current prevailed in this case in the election of Pope Leo XIV, as there was a certain favourable weight in favour of this current because the previous Pope Francis I had chosen a significant majority of the 133 cardinals who participated in the conclave, exactly 108. Because of this, the progressive and open-minded current prevailed.
Peace and help for the disadvantaged
Peace was the theme most frequently referred to by the new Pope Leo XIV in his first public address, something very much to bear in mind given the turbulent times we are currently experiencing with armed conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, on the border between India and Pakistan, etc.
He also referred to his congregation of St. Augustine and had words of praise and a heartfelt remembrance for Pope Francis I, one of his supporters and with whom he shared a vision of the Catholic Church as an entity for social work and aid to the most disadvantaged. Robert F. Prevost has had extensive experience as a missionary and had a distinguished career in Peru, carrying out missionary work and helping the most needy in disadvantaged areas.
Pope Leo XIV has been considered the bearer of ‘an unarmed, disarming and persevering peace that comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally’. In memory of his predecessor, he wanted to thank him: ‘We still hold in our hearts that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome. Allow me to continue that same blessing.’
‘God loves us very much and loves everyone. Evil will not prevail,’ he said in his speech. ‘Help us to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, uniting us all to be one people,’ added Pope Leo XIV. ‘I would like to thank all my brother cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together, always seeking peace and justice, working with mankind, faithful to Jesus Christ, to proclaim the Gospel and to be missionaries,’ he added.
Important career
Robert F. Prevost, born in Illinois, United States, completed his secondary education at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers, graduating in 1973. He then obtained a bachelor's degree in Mathematical Sciences with a specialisation in Philosophy from Villanova University (1973-1977).He continued his studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he obtained a Master's degree in Divinity in 1982. He then moved to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, obtaining his licentiate in 1984 and his doctorate magna cum laude in 1987.
He entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine on 1 September 1977, professing his solemn vows on 29 August 1981. He was ordained a priest on 19 June 1982 in Rome and, in 1985, was sent as a missionary to Peru. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo (Peru), where he served until 2023. On 30 September 2023, he was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis, assigning him the title of cardinal deacon of Santa Monica.
He is a good manager, responsible for the Order of Saint Augustine, and currently held the position of Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He therefore has extensive experience in Vatican institutions and knows how to operate within the Vatican State at an institutional level.