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Elected On The Second Day Of The Conclave, Robert Francis Prevost Makes History As The First North American Pope; Trump Was One Of The First Leaders To Express
White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday morning (8), confirming what the Catholic world was waiting for: the election of a new pope. On the second day of the conclave, the North American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the successor to Francis and took the name of Leo XIV.
This choice marks a historic moment. Prevost is the first pope born in the United States and also the first pontiff coming from a predominantly Protestant country.
His election represents a symbolic change at the center of the leadership of the Catholic Church.
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Shortly after the announcement, former U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to congratulate the new pontiff.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has just been appointed Pope. It is a great honor to know that he is the first American Pope. What excitement and a great honor for our country.”
Trump also added: “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very significant moment!”
First North American On The Throne Of Peter
Prevost was born in Chicago and is 69 years old. His election came with the support of at least 89 of the 133 voting cardinals, reaching the two-thirds necessary.
Despite his American roots, he built much of his religious career in Latin America. He worked primarily in Peru, a country where he spent over a decade and held several important positions within the Church.
In the Vatican, he held two central functions until the election: he was the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and the President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Both positions are of great influence in the Church’s decisions, especially in the appointment of new bishops worldwide.
Trajectory Marked By Latin America
Prevost entered religious life at the age of 22. He studied theology in Chicago and then specialized in canon law in Rome.
He was ordained a priest in 1982. Two years later, he began his missionary work in Peru, moving through cities like Piura and Trujillo.
He remained there for about ten years, even facing the authoritarian period of the Fujimori government. During that time, he publicly apologized on behalf of the Church for injustices committed.
In 2014, he was appointed administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he also became bishop. He held this position for nine years.
Allegations
It was during this period that he faced the greatest crisis of his career, related to allegations of covering up sexual abuse.
Three women reported in 2023 that Prevost allegedly covered up cases of sexual abuse committed by two priests in Peru when they were still children.
The allegations include a call made by one of the victims in 2020 and a formal submission of the accounts in 2022. Prevost allegedly forwarded the cases to the Vatican.
One of the accused was removed as a precaution, while the other was no longer serving due to health issues.
The Diocese of Chiclayo denied any cover-up and stated that all procedures were followed according to Church law. The Vatican has yet to conclude the investigation.
Towards The Papacy
During his time in Peru, Prevost also joined important bodies of the Church, such as the Congregation for the Clergy and the Congregation for Bishops.
In 2023, he was named a cardinal, a title he held for less than two years before being elected pope—a rare occurrence in modern times.
During a recent hospitalization of Francis, Prevost led public prayers in his intention. Now, he assumes the Throne of Peter under the name of Leo XIV.
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