✝️ Pope Leo XIV: The American Missionary Who Now Leads the Catholic Church

Even before his name was announced from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, the crowds were already chanting “Viva il Papa” — Long live the Pope. At 69 years old, Robert Francis Prevost has become the 267th leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

The First American Pope

Born in Chicago in 1955 to Spanish and Franco-Italian parents, Leo XIV is the first American to sit on the throne of St Peter. However, his story is deeply rooted in Latin America. After being ordained in 1982, he moved to Peru just three years later, where he would spend over a decade serving marginalised communities in Trujillo. It’s a legacy that earned him Peruvian citizenship and widespread admiration across both continents.

A Man of Two Worlds

Leo XIV is fondly remembered in Peru as a humble parish priest and seminary teacher who built bridges — both spiritual and social. He regularly returned to Chicago to serve as a priest and prior, maintaining ties to his roots even while fully embracing his missionary calling abroad.

First Words, Lasting Message

In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV honoured his predecessor: “We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us.” Addressing the cheering crowds, he added: “United and hand-in-hand with God, let us advance together.” In his first Mass, he described the Church as “a beacon to illuminate dark nights” — setting a tone of hope and unity for his papacy.

Why You Should Watch Conclave

For those curious about the mystery and drama behind a papal election, the recent film Conclave (2024) offers a gripping, fictionalized take on the secretive process that leads to white smoke rising over the Vatican. Based on Robert Harris’s novel, the film combines political tension, spiritual introspection, and behind-closed-doors power plays in a way that feels both timely and timeless. Watching it now, as Leo XIV begins his papacy, adds a new layer of resonance.

With a new chapter unfolding in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV represents not just a bridge between continents, but a symbol of the Church’s evolving role in a modern world. And if you're intrigued by what happens behind the curtain, Conclave is essential viewing.