69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Prevost is the first-ever pope from the United States, as he was born in Chicago but has spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and holds Peruvian citizenship.
He worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and was later appointed bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, where he served from 2014 to 2023.
He also previously served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, in which capacity he was known for his support of Pope Francis’ vision on such issues as immigration, the environment, and care for the poor.
In 2023, Pope Francis brought him to Rome to head the Vatican office in charge of choosing which priests should serve as Catholic bishops across the globe.
He played a key role in one of Pope Francis’ most significant reforms, overseeing the historic inclusion of three women in the voting body that determines which bishop nominations are submitted to the pope.
Earlier this year, Pope Francis elevated Prevost to the highest rank within the College of Cardinals.
