First US-born cardinal elected to papacy, takes name Leo XIV

For the first time in the more than 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church, a cardinal from the United States has been elected pope. Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, was introduced to the world as Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in the early evening hours of Thursday, May 8, 2025.

His immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, appointed Pope Leo XIV as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023. In that role, Prevost vetted bishop nominations from around the world, giving him one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. It was a prominent role that helped elevate his profile as a potential papal candidate at the Conclave. Though born in the US, the Holy Father is also a citizen of Peru. He served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2013.

He joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and was ordained a priest in 1982. Other positions he has held include Prior General of the Augustinians, Titular Bishop of Sufar, Apostolic Administrator of Chiclayo, and Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani in Rome.

Prevost was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.

Bishop Michael W. Fisher of the Diocese of Buffalo issued the following statement (also seen below) in response to Pope Leo’s election:

“Today, the Church throughout the world, the United States, Western New York, and the Diocese of Buffalo, rejoices at the historic election of the first pope from the United States, Pope Leo XIV.  I invite all to join me in prayer for our new pope as he begins his ministry as the successor of St. Peter.  May Pope Leo XIV be guided by the Holy Spirit as he leads the Church and is a source of unity for believers.   

He has served the Gospel faithfully as a missionary and leader of the Catholic Church in Peru and devoted his ministry to the larger interests of our Church. It is a source of tremendous pride that in this complex and difficult age that the Holy Spirit has guided the Cardinal Electors to choose not only this fellow countryman, but a person of profound faith, broad perspective and hopeful vision. 

May the Lord in his infinite wisdom, abiding grace, and unconditional love, guide our new Holy Father as he assumes the enormous responsibilities that he has been chosen to bear. May he unite and inspire us to build bridges and always to see the good in one another, to serve the most vulnerable among us, and to proclaim boldly the Good News we have received as children of God.  As we all continue in this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope and in our commission as disciples of the Risen Lord, may the Lord bless our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.”

Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, released the following statement on Thursday’s selection of the new pope:

“We at the New York State Catholic Conference join our Bishops in giving thanks to God for the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

“As the first American pope, Pope Leo’s election by the College of Cardinals is of course a moment of deep national pride for U.S. Catholics. More importantly, Pope Leo brings a continuity with the ministry of Pope Francis, while at the same time gifting the Church with his own unique perspective as a son of Chicago, an Augustinian priest and provincial of that order, a missionary and bishop in Peru, and a high-ranking Vatican official as prefect for the Dicastery of Bishops. With his choice of the name Leo, he clearly signals a deep commitment to Catholic social teaching and support for working men and women.

“In emerging on the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo’s first words were “Peace be with you,” which he noted were the Risen Christ’s first words in the Gospel to his Apostles. He spoke of the need for peace in our world, and we pray that his ministry serves as an instrument of that peace.

“As Americans, we also pray that his election serves as a much-needed moment of evangelization and renewal for the Church in our cherished homeland.”