Vatican Creates History; Chooses Its First Pope From The US

Following the demise of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Vatican has chosen its new Pope. History has been created as the Vatican chose its first-ever Pope from the USA. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native, became the first Pope from the United States as the 267th Bishop of Rome. Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time on May 8.

Leo XIV also holds a Peruvian citizenship and previously served as the Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo, Peru, where he carried out his missionary work. Leo XIV attended a minor seminary of the Order of St. Augustine in St. Louis as a novice before graduating from Philadelphia’s Villanova University with a degree in mathematics. He later received a masters degree in divinity from Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union in 1982 and a doctorate in canon law in Rome.

69-year-old Pope Leo XIV had the blessings of Pope Francis, who also made him a cardinal in 2023. He was chosen after a voting process called the Papal Conclave. During the voting, he reportedly received a higher number of votes from the Vatican watchers among the group of U.S. cardinals, given his pastoral bent, global view, and ability to navigate the central bureaucracy.

Leo XIV was visibly moved during his first-ever appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Dressed in white and red vestments and speaking in lightly accented Italian, he said, “I would like this greeting of peace to reach all your hearts and families and people around the world. May peace be with you.”